LIVE UPDATES: Tacloban school shooting (June 23, 2026)

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday urged parents and teachers to monitor children's use of social media and gadgets after a fatal shooting incident in a school in Tacloban City on Monday.

"Parents and guardians serve as the first line of defense. They must be present and vigilant in their children's digital lives, treating their online activity with the same level of concern as their physical whereabouts," PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said.

“We are also calling on our teachers and school administrators to act as our partners in this 'digital watch,' identifying early behavioral shifts or concerning interests in students so we can intervene long before any harm is done,” Nartatez added.

The PNP said this is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. through the guidance of Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla "to strengthen community-based prevention measures and improve early detection of youth-related violence indicators."

On Monday, two students were taken into custody by authorities after allegedly firing guns inside San Jose National High School in Barangay San Jose, Tacloban City. Three students died while 13 others were wounded, according to PNP.

Nartatez said the shooting incident showed how early online behavior may be indicative of possible violent intent.

The PNP said bullying and other social factors are being looked into as possible factors that may have contributed in the incident.

One of the students taken into custody reportedly posted gun-related and violent videos online before the incident, including one showing himself firing a gun, according to police.

“The warning signs are often subtle—social withdrawal, obsession with violent imagery, or the use of radicalized language—and when these red flags appear, early reporting to local police or school authorities is not just a precaution but a necessity to save lives,” Nartatez said.

The PNP said it is coordinating with education officials to have measures in schools nationwide to prevent similar incidents from occurring.

“We are currently working with the Department of Education to formalize these safety protocols because securing our schools is a shared, non-negotiable responsibility that requires the constant, active involvement of every adult in a child’s circle of trust,” Nartatez said. —KG, GMA News

The Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) on Monday called for stronger school safety and child protection mechanisms in the wake of the school shooting incident in Tacloban City and recent stabbing incidents in Cavite.

In a statement, the CWC – an attached agency of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) expressed its strong condemnation and grave concern over the recent violent incidents reported in schools.

“These incidents have resulted in injuries, the loss of young lives, and deep emotional distress among learners, families, school communities, and the public,” it said.

The CWC stressed that schools “must remain safe spaces where children can learn, develop, and thrive free from fear, violence, and harm.”

“The occurrence of these violent incidents within educational settings serves as a serious reminder that protecting children requires constant vigilance and a sustained, whole-of-government and whole-of-society response,” the agency said.

The incidents also underscored the “urgent need to further strengthen school-based child protection mechanisms, mental health programs, violence prevention initiatives, and early intervention systems.”

“Schools must be adequately supported with guidance services, psychosocial support programs, child protection structures, and referral mechanisms capable of identifying risks, addressing behavioral concerns, and preventing violence before it occurs,” the CWC added.

The agency made the remarks amid the school shooting incident in Tacloban City that left three dead and 11 injured on Monday morning. Two of the minor-aged suspects are in custody.

Before this, a Grade 8 learner allegedly entered a Grade 5 classroom at a private school in General Trias City, Cavite on June 16 and stabbed seven learners.

A few days later on June 20, a Grade 11 learner allegedly stabbed a schoolmate following a confrontation inside the premises of a public high school in Cavite City.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it is treating the stabbing incidents in Cavite as isolated cases.

The CWC extended its sympathies to the families of the children who were killed in the Tacloban City school shooting.

“We call for the immediate provision of comprehensive medical, psychosocial, and mental health support to all affected learners, families, teachers, and school personnel. Beyond physical injuries, the emotional and psychological impact of these incidents must be addressed through timely and sustained interventions,” it said.

It welcomed and supported President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive for a thorough investigation of the school shooting incident in Tacloban City, as well as the ongoing probes of the stabbing incidents in Cavite.

The CWC stressed that children in conflict with the law (CICL) should not be treated as criminals, but as children requiring intervention and protection under Republic Act 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act.

It said concerned government agencies, local government units (LGUs), educational institutions, communities, parents, and caregivers should work together in creating environments where all children feel safe, heard, supported, and protected.

“Preventing violence requires more than security measures alone. It requires strengthening relationships, promoting emotional well-being, teaching peaceful conflict resolution, addressing bullying and behavioral concerns, and ensuring that children who may be experiencing difficulties receive timely and appropriate support,” the CWC added.

It urged the public to immediately report incidents of violence, abuse, bullying, neglect, exploitation, or any situation that places a child at risk to the MAKABATA Helpline 1383 through the following mechanisms:

    Call 1383
    Smart: 0919-354-1383 | Globe: 0915-802-2375
    Chat via Makabata Helpline 1383 Facebook and Instagram Email: makabatahelpline@cwc.gov.ph
    Report through the eGovPH app of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and select “child abuse.”

— JMA, GMA News

Aabot sa 40 basyo ng bala ng mga baril ang nakita ng mga imbestigador sa paaralan kung saan namaril ang dalawang menor de edad na estudyante sa San Jose National High School sa Tacloban City. Ang dalawang baril na ginamit ng mga suspek, service firearm ng isang pulis, habang sa isang security agency naman ang isa pa.

Tatlong tao ang kumpirmadong nasawi sa naturang insidente, habang 11 naman ang sugatan sa nangyaring pamamaril nitong Lunes ng umaga.

Sa ulat ni Sam Nielsen sa Super Radyo dzBB, sinabing isa sa mga baril na ginamit ng suspek -- 9mm Glock pistol -- ay service firearm ng isang pulis na tiyahin ng suspek.

Samantala, nakarehistro naman sa isang security agency sa Cebu City ang isa pang baril na .38 caliber revolver.

Ayon kay PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Allen Rae Co, nagpalit pa ng magazine o nagkarga ng panibagong mga bala ang isa sa mga suspek na gumamit ng 9mm nang maganap ang insidente.

Nasa kustodiya na ng pulisya ang dalawang menor de edad na isang 14-anyos at isang 15-anyos na umano'y sangkot sa insidente.

Samantala, isinailalim na sa restrictive custody ang babaeng pulis na may-ari ng isa sa mga baril na ginamit sa krimen, ayon sa PRO 8.

Sinabi ng mga awtoridad, ipinasok ng isa sa mga suspek ang baril sa loob ng paaralan na inilagay sa sling bag, habang hindi naman napansin ng guwardiya ng paaralan ang isa pang suspek.

“Sad to say, ma’am, hindi nila, hindi talaga sila nag-i-inspect lalo na kung identified naman nila na student ng school, hindi po,” sabi ni PRO 8 spokesperson Police Major Analiza Armeza sa panayam ng dzBB.

Ayon kay Armeza, hindi mananagot sa kasong kriminal ang 14-anyos na suspek, ang kamag-anak ng pulis, alinsunod sa Republic Act No. 9344 o Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act.

Samantala, sasailalim sa pagsusuri ng CSWDO tungkol sa pananagutan ang 15-anyos na suspek. Kapag napatunayang kumilos siya nang may sapat na pag-unawa o discernment, maaari siyang sampahan ng naaangkop na mga kaso.

“If ever man ma-convict siya… suspended sentence po yan kasi yung nga children in conflict with the law (CICL) sila,” dagdag ni Armeza. — FRJ GMA News