Several students of San Jose National High School in Tacloban City are considering transferring to other schools following the shooting on June 23, 2026 that killed three students and injured several others.

The Department of Education (DepEd) has confirmed that several students and parents have expressed interest to transfer to other schools following the tragic incident.

Dr. Nilo Eder, information officer of DepEd Tabloban City Division, said they cannot stop parents from moving their children. All DepEd can do is assure them that it has secured the high school.

“That is the right of the parents or students so hindi namin ‘yan naaano kung saan nakaka-feel ng security, although, as I’ve said, we have been assuring them na we have secured the school and the most secure school na ngayon is the San Jose National High School,” he said.

The school will continue to adopt an alternative delivery mode of teaching in the coming week. Face-to-face classes may resume on July 6, 2026.

TRANSFORMING THE SCHOOL

Eder also said that DepEd, with the help of the city government, is creating a new environment in the school with the help of color to help students move on from what happened.

“Kasi, ang hirap matanggal yung ano, at tsaka tina-transform natin ang school with the help of the city government… ibahin ang paint so ire-repaint… they will not recall what happened because they will see a different environment,” he said.

Repainting the classrooms is also what the mayor wants, as well as the installation of additional closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras on campus.

The city is also making the school’s perimeter fence higher for added security.

“Malagyan agad ng yung kulang pa na hindi nalalagyan ng fence, pinalalagyan nya ngayon… nandyan na ‘yung tao pati materyales, pa ano na, pa-deliver na dyan so ngayon para ma-layout na ang pader, inaano namin ang property ng school,” said Engr. Roberto Yepes of the engineering office of the Tacloban City government.

The city wants work completed before in-campus classes resume.

On June 24, 2026, authorities have filed a criminal complaint against the 15-year-old student suspect in the shooting, the Police Regional Office (PRO)-8 said. He and the 14-year-old suspect have been turned over to the City Social Welfare and Development Office of Tacloban City.

Authorities are looking into personal grudge that may have stemmed from bullying as possible motive in the crime. Read story: https://www.gmanetwork.com/regionaltv/news/114523/school-bullying-eyed-as-motive-in-tacloban-school-shooting/story/