Police: Tacloban shooting premeditated; 1 minor said they only wanted to scare

The shooting incident at the San Jose National High School in Tacloban City was premeditated, as one of the minors allegedly behind the shooting claimed he and his companion only wanted to scare other students, the Eastern Visayas police said Tuesday.

In an interview on Balitanghali, Police Brigadier General Jason Capoy, director of the Eastern Visayas police, said that, "Base din po sa pag-interview ng mga investigators natin, talagang napagplanuhan as early as May 1 or April na mag-launch sila ng ganitong ano, kaya talagang premeditated 'yung incident."

(Based on the investigators' interviews, the shooting was planned to be launched as early as May 1 or April. That's why it's really a premeditated incident.)

Capoy's statement aligned with that of the Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday, which said there were "indications" that the shooting was planned.

DepEd Undersecretary for Operations Dr. Malcolm Garma said initial reports showed that the motive behind the shooting may be related to bullying, but took notice that the attacks did not appear to be targeted.

One shooter said they initially wanted to scare students in the school.

"Ayon po sa ating pag-imbestiga, initially mananakot lang daw sana ito (According to our investigation, they initially only intended to scare)," Capoy said.

"Kaso lang ho, nu'ng may pumutok na isang bala parang hindi na napigilan 'yung 14-years-old. ‘Yun ang nakukuha nating information," he added.

(However, when one shot was fired, it seems the 14-year-old could no longer be stopped. That is the information we are getting.)

The shooting took place inside the San Jose National High School in Barangay San Jose, Tacloban City around 9 a.m. on Monday, June 22, 2026.

According to Raffy Tima's report, investigation of the Tacloban City Police showed that the shooters fired their guns at the hallway of the school before entering the classroom, where they continued shooting.

The shooters then chased after some of the students who escaped.

"Oo (yes)," Tacloban Police City Director PCOL. Noelito Getigan said when asked if the shooters chased the victims. "Kasi 'yung isa lumusot na doon sa pader. Pa-exit na (Because one went through the wall. He was about to exit.)"

Following this, two minors aged 14 and 15 have been placed under police custody.

Authorities also recovered a .38-cal. revolver and one 9mm Glock pistol as well as around 40 shell casings.

The 9mm Glock used by the 14-year-old was owned by his aunt, a cop assigned at the Regional Police Office 8 while the gun used by the 15-year-old was traced to a security agency in Cebu.

According to Capoy, the 14-year-old allegedly went through the window of his aunt's home where he retrieved the firearm.

Capoy said police recorded only one bullet that was fired from the revolver while the rest of the empty shells were from the pistol.

Three individuals passed away while 15 were injured.

Capoy said the individuals confined at a hospital are in a stable condition. — VDV, GMA News