In the ordinary hours of a Monday morning, a school in Tacloban City became the site of a violence that no community should have to absorb — three lives ended, five others wounded, and hundreds of young people left to carry the weight of what they witnessed. The shooting at San Jose National High School on June 22, 2026 is both a local tragedy and a reminder of how fragile the promise of a safe education can be. One suspect is in custody; another remains at large. The search for answers — legal, moral, and human — has only just begun.
Three killed, five wounded in Tacloban school shooting; manhunt underway
Three people were killed and five others wounded in the shooting at the school; students and staff experienced fear and trauma.
The safety and well-being of learners remain our highest priority
Mark
What was the immediate aftermath like inside the school when police arrived?
Mimi
Officers moved through the building securing it room by room. One suspect was already in custody, but the second had fled. The priority was making sure no other threat remained and getting the wounded to hospitals as quickly as possible.
Mark
Why do you think authorities haven't released names yet?
Mimi
Standard procedure in active investigations—they need to notify families first, and they're still piecing together what happened. Releasing names prematurely can also complicate the manhunt for the second suspect.
Mark
The fact that one suspect was arrested but another escaped—does that suggest this was planned?
Mimi
It's too early to say. It could mean they acted together and separated, or one was apprehended while trying to flee. The investigation will determine whether this was coordinated or something else entirely.
Mark
What concerns you most about the response from education officials?
Mimi
They're doing the right things—coordinating with police, arranging counseling—but the real test is what happens in the weeks ahead. Students and staff will carry this trauma. Schools need sustained support, not just immediate statements.
Mark
Do we know anything about the motive yet?
Mimi
Nothing. That's what investigators are working to establish. Until they do, the community is left in uncertainty, which is its own kind of burden.
The Pulse
- Gunfire tore through a high school campus on a Monday morning, killing three people and wounding five others in what should have been a routine school day.
- One suspect was arrested at the scene, but a second gunman escaped, leaving the community on edge as a manhunt continues.
- Police flooded the campus with additional personnel while investigators work to establish a motive, with victim and suspect identities still withheld.
- Authorities are urging the public to stay calm, avoid spreading unverified information, and come forward with anything that might help explain the attack.
- DepEd and social welfare agencies have mobilized counselors and psychosocial support teams to help students and staff process the trauma they endured.
In the ordinary hours of a Monday morning, a school in Tacloban City became the site of a violence that no community should have to absorb — three lives ended, five others wounded, and hundreds of young people left to carry the weight of what they witnessed. The shooting at San Jose National High School on June 22, 2026 is both a local tragedy and a reminder of how fragile the promise of a safe education can be. One suspect is in custody; another remains at large. The search for answers — legal, moral, and human — has only just begun.
On the morning of June 22, 2026, gunfire broke out inside San Jose National High School in Barangay San Jose, Tacloban City, leaving three people dead and five others wounded. Victims were rushed to nearby hospitals as police moved swiftly to secure the school grounds.
The Tacloban City Police Office arrested one suspect at the scene, but a second gunman fled and remains at large. A manhunt was launched immediately. By Monday afternoon, authorities had not yet released the names of the victims, the wounded, or either suspect, and the motive behind the attack was still under investigation.
Brigadier General Jason Capoy of the Police Regional Office for Eastern Visayas announced the deployment of additional officers to the school and called on the public to remain calm, avoid circulating rumors, and share any information that could help investigators piece together what happened.
The Department of Education's Regional Office 8 expressed deep concern for everyone affected — students, school personnel, and families alike. Regional Director Salustiano Jimenez deferred to law enforcement on investigative matters but made clear that the safety and well-being of learners and staff were the department's foremost priority. DepEd coordinated with the Philippine National Police, the local Schools Division Office, and social welfare agencies to restore a sense of security on campus and provide counseling to those traumatized by the violence. The regional office closed with a call for prayers for the healing and recovery of all those touched by the tragedy.
On the morning of Monday, June 22, 2026, gunfire erupted inside San Jose National High School in Barangay San Jose, Tacloban City, Leyte. When the shooting ended, three people lay dead and five others had been wounded. The victims were transported to nearby hospitals for emergency care as police officers moved through the school, securing the building and the grounds around it.
The Tacloban City Police Office responded quickly to the incident. Officers arrested one suspect at the scene, but a second gunman escaped and remains unaccounted for. A manhunt operation was launched to locate the fugitive. As of Monday afternoon, authorities had not yet released the names of those killed, those injured, or either of the suspects involved. The police were still working to establish what had prompted the violence and what circumstances led to the shooting.
Brigadier General Jason Capoy, who directs the Police Regional Office for Eastern Visayas, announced that additional police personnel had been deployed to the school to protect students, staff, members of the community, and parents. He called on the public to remain composed, to refrain from spreading rumors or unverified claims about what had happened, and to share any information they possessed that might assist investigators in understanding the attack.
The Department of Education's Regional Office 8 issued a statement expressing deep concern about the shooting. Regional Director Salustiano Jimenez said the agency's thoughts and prayers were with everyone affected by the violence, particularly the students, school personnel, and families who had endured the fear and psychological impact of the attack. DepEd coordinated immediately with the Philippine National Police, the Tacloban City Schools Division Office, and the school's leadership to restore a sense of safety and security on campus.
Beyond the immediate police response, DepEd worked with the Department of Social Welfare and Development and other agencies to provide counseling and psychosocial support to students and staff traumatized by the incident. Jimenez deferred to law enforcement regarding specifics of the shooting and the ongoing investigation, but emphasized that the safety, security, and well-being of learners and personnel remained the department's paramount concern. DepEd committed itself to supporting the school community and collaborating with partner agencies to prevent future violence and maintain secure learning environments. The regional office called on the public to pray for the safety, healing, and recovery of all those touched by the tragedy.
Notable Quotes
The safety, security, and well-being of our learners and personnel remain our highest priority— Regional Director Salustiano Jimenez, Department of Education
Remain calm, avoid sharing unverified information, and cooperate with authorities by providing any details that may help the investigation— Brigadier General Jason Capoy, Police Regional Office Eastern Visayas
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Crime & Justice