At least three pupils were killed and seven others sustained injuries in a rare mass shooting at a school in Tacloban City in the Philippines.
One suspect was arrested immediately after the shooting at the government-run San Jose National High School, while another surrendered later, the police said. The suspects are aged 14 and 15.
A Glock 9mm pistol registered to a policewoman and a .38-calibre revolver were used in the attack, the police said, adding it remains unclear how the attackers obtained the firearms.
Police said 40 empty shells were recovered from the crime scene. The motive behind the shooting also remained unclear, though the authorities said they suspected the shooting may have been motivated by a “grudge” over bullying.
Allen Rae Co, the Philippine National Police spokesperson, said the pistol was issued to a police officer who is now under investigation and has been placed in the custody of the regional police, while the revolver was registered to a security agency based in Cebu City in central Philippines.
Authorities said the attackers managed to bring the guns into the school campus because there was only one guard on duty at multiple entrances and exits.
“The suspects barged into two rooms because after the shooting in the first, the children scampered and the suspects apparently ran after some victims into another room,” regional police chief Brig Gen Jason Capoy said.
Most of the dead and wounded were female students, he said.
Jennelyn Badoria, mother of a 15-year-old student who died in the attack, urged the police to hold whoever provided the guns to the shooters accountable.
“I’m asking that the gun owners be charged, because the guns wouldn’t have ended up in the children’s hands if it weren’t for them,” she told AFP news agency.
The suspects, both grade seven students, have been turned over to social welfare authorities.
In a video posted online, students hiding under desks in a shut classroom can be heard screaming and weeping as gunshots are heard outside. Some called their mothers.
Other videos show terrified students streaming out of the school campus, some holding and embracing each other.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has ordered a thorough investigation of the shooting and asked law enforcers to boost security in all schools, workplaces and public areas, communications undersecretary Claire Castro said.
“The president was saddened by this incident. Anybody, especially the parents of the victims, will feel sad and terrified,” Ms Castro said.
Police said the victims were transported to nearby medical facilities for treatment, while additional personnel have been deployed at the school to ensure the safety of students, staff, parents, and the surrounding community.
Crimes involving the use of firearms are prevalent in the Philippines, partly due to the proliferation of unlicensed firearms, but school shootings are rare.
In July 2022, a gunman opened fire during a graduation ceremony at the Ateneo de Manila University law school in Quezon City, killing three people, including former Lamitan City mayor Rose Furigay.
