School shooting suspects in Tacloban described as quiet by neighbors, teacher

The two minors accused in the deadly school shooting in Tacloban City were described by neighbors, former classmates, and a teacher as quiet youths with no known history of causing trouble.

The neighbors of the 14-year-old suspect said they were shocked after seeing TV reports linking him to Monday’s shooting.

“Hindi talaga namin akalain ang mga gawa niya,” one neighbor said in an interview with Emil Sumangil on "24 Oras."

(We never imagined he was capable of doing something like that.)

14-year-old suspect

The neighbor also said that the boy was fond of basketball and was often seen hanging out in their house.

“Mahilig sa basketball,” the neighbor recalled. (He liked playing basketball.)

A barangay official said the teenager had no known record of misconduct. He added that the boy mostly kept to himself.

However, one of the suspect’s childhood acquaintances claimed the boy could easily lose his temper.

“Madaling mapikon,” the acquaintance said. (He got irritated easily.)

The acquaintance related an instance that the boy picked up a rock and threw it at his playmate, who was injured. And another incident of stone-throwing involved a sibling of the acquaintance.

Former Boy Scout

The family of the 15-year-old suspect had declined to comment when approached by GMA News.

"Pasensiya na po sir. Hindi po kami makapagbibigay ng side sa inyo ngayon dahil sabi ng abugado namin, 'wag pa muna kami magpa-interview," replied an unidentified person from inside the house.

(Sorry, sir. We can't give you a side right now because our lawyer said we shouldn't be interviewed yet.)

One teacher, who knew both boys, said neither had a reputation for causing problems in school.

“Boy scout yun dati,” the teacher said of one of the suspects. (He used to be a Boy Scout.)

The teacher also described the students as generally quiet.

On Monday, a shooting incident at the San Jose National High School in Tacloban City left at least three people dead and several others injured.

Three people were killed while 11 others were wounded in a school shooting in Barangay San Jose, Tacloban City around 9 a.m. on Monday, June 22, 2026.

Authorities had said the two suspects — aged 14 and 15 — allegedly planned the attack weeks before the incident took place. Police investigators also reported that the minors had discussed the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act while planning the shooting.

Amid the chaos following the attack, Fire Officer 2 Ludwig Zosa helped apprehend one of the suspects after students identified the teenager to authorities.

According to Zosa, the suspect repeatedly asked about his fate after he was taken into custody.

“Makukulong ba ako? Makukulong ba ako? Mapipriso ba ako? Mapipriso ba ako?” the suspect allegedly asked. (Will I be jailed? Will I be imprisoned?)

Authorities continue to investigate the motive behind the shooting and how the minors obtained the firearms. — Sherylin Untalan/BAP, GMA News