Authorities have filed a criminal complaint against the 15-year-old student involved in the deadly Tacloban shooting incident, the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO 8) said Wednesday, June 24, 2026.

"We already have filed the criminal complaint against the CICL [child in conflict with the law] who is above 15 years old last night with the Prosecutor's Office," PRO 8 Public Information Office chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Analiza Armeza said in an interview on Unang Balita.

Armeza was referring to one of two students taken into custody by authorities after a shooting incident at San Jose National High School in Barangay San Jose, Tacloban City on June 22. Three students died while many others were injured. The other student in custody is 14 years old.

Asked about the possible motive for the shooting, Armeza said bullying is one of the angles being looked into in the investigation, but added that the matter is with the Prosecutor's Office already.

"As to the motive and others, kasi nasa jurisdiction na siya ng Prosecution Service. They will be the one to assess and evaluate the complaint," she said.

"'Yan (bullying) ang isang tiningnan sa conduct ng investigation. Actually kahit naman na-file na siya with the Prosecutor's Office, for a comprehensive approach and formulation of intervention, kasi magiging part naman din 'yung Philippine National Police dito, other motives are taken into consideration," Armeza said.

(That [bullying] was one of the angles looked into in the conduct of the investigation. Actually, even if the complaint has already been filed with the Prosecutor's Office, for a comprehensive approach and formulation of intervention, since the Philippine National Police will be part of this, other motives are taken into consideration.)

"We are not singling out one specific motive lang, angle of one specific motive," she added.

Asked if it is true that the younger student fired more bullets than the older one, Armeza said: "That's the information that we have gathered but as I have said made-determine po 'yan sa evaluation and assessment of the Prosecutor's Office."

The PRO 8 official also said PNP personnel already had "an initial talk" with the female police officer whose firearm was allegedly used by her nephew, said to be one of the teen shooters.

"She safekeep the firearm. Also confusion niya why nakuha ng kanyang pamangkin 'yung baril kasi tinago naman niya 'yon," Armeza said.

(She is confused as to why her nephew was able to get the firearm because she hid it.)

"Ongoing po ang admin investigation sa kanya and 'yun nga, nasa restrictive custody na siya and na-terminate na po 'yung kanyang designation," she added.

(The admin investigation is ongoing, and she has already been placed under restrictive custody. Her designation was also already terminated.)

The two CICLs have already been turned over to the City Social Welfare and Development Office of Tacloban City, she said.

"So at present, turned over po sila sa City Social Welfare and Development Office ng Tacloban," Armeza said.

As for the injured students, Armeza said, "So far, nasa stable condition na po 'yung mga injured victims."

Asked if the CICLs' parents would also be charged, she said: "Yes sir, we are considering that as our action taken sa law enforcement na side."

Armeza also said they have determined that the two CICLs were the only ones involved in the shooting incident.

"As to the kasabwat, may lumalabas na mga balita na meron pang iba na mga students na kasama nga sa supposedly, supposedly kasama in the commission of the crime. We already have determined that sila lang po talagang dalawa 'yung involved CICL," she said.

(As to others allegedly involved, there are reports saying other students were supposedly included in the commission of the crime. We already have determined that the two CICLs were the only ones involved.)

SCHOOL SECURITY

Armeza said police presence will be heightened near schools in compliance with directives from PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. and the regional director.

"There is already a standing directive from our chief PNP and our regional director for the increase of police presence sa mga schools and also our mobile and foot patrols," she said.

"So 'yun din, 'yung strengthening of our coordination and partnership with the PTA [parent-teacher associations], with the teachers, and our local government units lalo sa barangay officials," she added. 

(With reports from GMA News)