Tacloban shooting: Heroic acts by survivors recalled

Two survivors of the tragic shooting incident at San Jose National High School in Tacloban, Leyte, also put their lives at risk to save their classmates.

In the recent episode of "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho," “Rocky” recalled that he carried four students who were wounded in the shooting.

“Dalawa 'yung may sugat. 'Yung dalawa na parang hindi na nakakahinga, na-trauma ata,” he said.

(Two of them were wounded. The other two seemed like they couldn’t breathe; I think they were traumatized.)

“Rocky” confirmed that he knows of one of the gunmen, who turns out to be a class officer in their section.

“Mabait naman siya. Tapos ano pa, officer pa namin siya sa room namin. Hindi siya nagsasalita sa room. Hindi siya nakikipag-usap,” he said.

(He was actually nice. What's more, he was even an officer in our classroom. He didn't speak much in the room. He didn't really talk to anyone.)

Most of those discharged had experienced panic attacks and hyperventilation, while others sustained grazing wounds.

“There were 11 who was brought to us and then we have three gunshot wound-related injury. But 'yung isa, we immediately refer it to Eastern Visayas Medical Center because of the gunshot wound in the head,” said Dr. Gloria Enriquez-Fabrigas, chief of Tacloban City Hospital.

Three students were killed, while 20 others were injured, after a 14-year-old and a 15-year-old student opened fire at the school on June 22.

Relatives of the victims are now calling for justice, demanding that both the suspects and their parents be held accountable.

Another to the rescue

Aside from Boy Scout Chris Lorenz Fabian, another student is being hailed as a hero for helping barricade their classroom door to prevent the gunmen from entering .

“Mark” helped Lorenz in blocking the door in the classroom, a heroic act that was captured in a viral video.

“Pagpaputok po nila doon, nag-alerto na po kami na mag-lock ng pinto. Tapos ‘yun po, binalikan ‘yung classroom namin, tsaka binubuksan nila,” he recalled.

(When they opened fire over there, we immediately alerted everyone to lock the door. Then, they came back to our classroom and tried to force it open.)

“Mark” and Lorenz only wanted to ensure the survival of their classmates.

“Kasi gusto po namin maligtas ‘yung lahat po kami doon sa classroom,” he recalled. “Mayroong po umiiyak, mayroong po sumisigaw.”

(Because we wanted everyone inside that classroom to be saved…Some were crying, others were screaming.)

The classroom remains padlocked—a silent witness to the nightmare experienced by students and teachers in what is being considered the first-ever mass school shooting in the Philippines.

Meanwhile, the provincial government of Pampanga has recognized the heroism of the slain student. Lorenz's family previously resided in Pampanga before relocating to Tacloban.

Based on accounts from teachers, students, and the viral video, Lorenz shut the door and held onto the lock to prevent the attackers from entering. However, the suspects opened fire from the outside, striking Lorenz with a bullet that ultimately caused his death.

Lorenz’s last moments

CCTV footage captured by Chris Lorenz’s family showed him leaving their home for school, capturing what would be his final moments alive.

“Tinatago niya po 'yung kaniyang badminton. Kasi po, pinapagalitan ko siya kasi mahilig po siyang magpahiram tapos pagbalik po sa kaniya, sira na. Kaya 'yung parang sa kaniya po, masaya siya na hindi ko po siya napagalitan dahil hindi ko po nahuling bitbit niya po 'yung badminton niya,” shared Bea Fabian, the mother of Chris Lorenz.

(He was hiding his badminton racket. I usually scold him because he loves lending it out, only for it to be returned broken. So at that moment, he seemed happy because I didn't get to scold him, as I didn't catch him carrying it.)

Bea recalled the final words Lorenz spoke to his classmates after being hit by a bullet.

“‘Iwanan niyo na ako, tutal may tama na ako, nabaril na ako, lumabas na kayo’ para maligtas ‘yung mga sarili nila,” she said.

(‘Leave me behind, since I’ve already been hit, I’ve already been shot, just get out’ so they could save themselves.)

Bea watched the video of her son's heroic act only once.

“Ako po, isang beses ko lang po inanood. Masakit po. Hero nga po siya, Ma'am Jess, pero wala na siya. Masakit po. Mapagbigay po ‘yan. Kahit po 'yung baon niya, sine-share niya po. Kahit uuwi na lang po siyang maglalakad, hindi po siya nagdadamot sa mga kaibigan at classmates niya po,” she said.

(As for me, I only watched it once. It hurts. He is indeed a hero, Ma'am Jess, but he is gone. It hurts so much. He was a very generous boy. He would even share his school allowance. Even if it meant he had to walk all the way home, he was never selfish with his friends and classmates.) –Vince Angelo Ferreras/NB, GMA News