Tacloban School Shooting: Murder Charges Filed, Suspect Held

As the ANC 24/7 video titled "Police: Tacloban school shooting suspects had an intended target" detailed the sequence of events at San Jose National High School, families in Barangay San Jose, Tacloban City, Leyte, began receiving calls on Monday, June 22, 2026, about the 9:20 AM shooting that killed three students and injured 20 others. The coverage confirmed that the two Grade 9 suspects entered a classroom and opened fire with a 9mm Glock 17 pistol and a .38 caliber revolver, striking an intended target amid the chaos. This incident has shaken communities across Leyte province, where parents now question the safety of their children in public schools every morning.

Tacloban School Shooting: Police Confirm Suspects Had Intended Target as Murder Charges Filed

Manila, Philippines — In the days following the June 22 shooting at San Jose National High School, Philippine authorities have filed murder charges against the 15-year-old suspect while investigating the accountability of adults who allowed the minors access to firearms. The attack that killed three students and wounded 20 others has triggered a nationwide review of school security protocols and renewed calls for stricter gun ownership enforcement.

The Shooting Unfolds at San Jose National High School

On Monday, June 22, 2026, at 7:30 AM, the 14-year-old suspect arrived at San Jose National High School in Barangay San Jose, Tacloban City, Leyte, and joined the flag ceremony before entering a restroom. At 8 AM, the 15-year-old suspect joined him there, and by 9:20 AM the pair left the restroom and began firing inside a classroom, according to the PNP timeline released this week. Two students died on the spot inside the school, while the third victim died upon arrival at a hospital in Tacloban City. Fifteen students sustained gunshot wounds and five others suffered additional injuries during the attack.

The 15-year-old suspect was arrested at the school premises at 9:30 AM, while both minors were turned over to the Tacloban City Social Welfare and Development Office by 11 PM that same day. Police reports state the suspects had identified an intended target before the shooting began, a detail emphasized in the ANC 24/7 coverage. This timeline has prompted immediate reviews of security procedures at all Leyte public high schools.

Victims and the Impact on Tacloban Families

Three students from San Jose National High School lost their lives in the June 22, 2026, attack, leaving their families in Barangay San Jose to organize burials within days. Twenty other students were injured, with one remaining in the ICU at a Tacloban hospital in stable condition as of this week. DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian met directly with the victims' families in Tacloban City to offer financial assistance and counseling services through the local social welfare office.

Parents in Tacloban City have described the sudden loss of routine school days, with classes at San Jose National High School suspended indefinitely and all other Tacloban City public schools closed on Tuesday, June 23. By Wednesday, June 24, most public schools reopened under stricter security protocols, yet families in Leyte continue to keep children home out of fear. The human cost extends to siblings and classmates who witnessed the violence and now require trauma support from local psychologists.

Suspects, Charges, and Legal Accountability

Philippine police filed three counts of murder, three counts of frustrated murder, and multiple counts of serious physical injuries against the 15-year-old suspect, identified by the alias "Rod." The 14-year-old suspect, known by the alias "Nash," remains exempt from criminal liability under RA 9344 because he is 15 or below, though he will undergo an intervention program administered by the Tacloban City Social Welfare and Development Office. On Friday, additional charges may be filed against persons liable, including parents and the aunt of the minors.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla stated that the PNP is actively investigating the accountability of the parents and the 14-year-old's aunt, a non-commissioned police officer who has already been relieved from duty. This focus on adult responsibility reflects broader Philippine efforts to address juvenile violence through family and institutional oversight in cities like Tacloban.

Weapons, Motive, and Online Influences

The 9mm Glock 17 pistol used in the June 22, 2026, shooting was registered to the 14-year-old's aunt, while the .38 caliber revolver was allegedly owned by a security agency based in Cebu City. Initial police reports cited a possible grudge stemming from school bullying, though this remains unverified, and the PNP noted that the minors were heavily influenced by violent online content. The 14-year-old had played the violent video game Gorebox shortly before the incident.

These details have led community leaders in Leyte to discuss the role of unregulated digital content in shaping youth behavior. Parents across Tacloban City now monitor their children's online activity more closely, recognizing how such influences can escalate conflicts that begin in school hallways.

Government Responses and Nationwide Safety Measures

The Department of Education labeled the event a high-alert situation and implemented stricter security protocols at all Tacloban City public schools upon their reopening on Wednesday, June 24. Quezon City Mayor ordered active shooter drills in every QC school following the Tacloban incident, while the PNP released a national safety guide outlining steps during an active shooting. Psychologists have advised parents and teachers nationwide to watch for signs of unusual behavior in children.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian's direct meetings with affected families in Tacloban underscore the government's commitment to immediate support. These coordinated actions across agencies demonstrate how one event in Leyte can drive policy changes that protect students in distant provinces like Quezon City.

Why This Matters for Filipino Communities

The June 22, 2026, shooting at San Jose National High School has intensified fears among parents throughout the Philippines as school violence incidents rise. Communities in Tacloban City and beyond now demand stronger gun registration enforcement and mental health resources in public schools to prevent similar tragedies. The focus on adult accountability and intervention programs highlights the need for collective responsibility in protecting the next generation of Filipino youth.

By centering support on the families of Barangay San Jose and expanding safety measures nationwide, Philippine institutions can rebuild trust in the education system. This incident serves as a call for vigilance that reaches every classroom from Leyte to Metro Manila.

By Bella Reyes, Staff Writer