Philippine Police Announce Progress in School Shooting Investigation, 2 Underage Suspects Arrested

On the 22nd, Philippine police released a bulletin outlining the latest investigative developments in the school shooting incident that occurred earlier that day in Tacloban City, Leyte Island.

According to the police, at around 9 a.m., two gunmen broke into a middle school in Tacloban City and opened fire, resulting in at least three student deaths and seven injuries. The wounded are still receiving treatment at the hospital. After arriving at the scene, police arrested a 15-year-old suspect on campus, while another 14-year-old suspect who fled was caught several hours later. Police found over 40 shell casings at the scene and recovered a 9mm handgun and a .38-caliber revolver from the suspects.

The spokesperson of the Philippine National Police Headquarters, Allen, stated at a press conference that the preliminary investigation shows that the 9mm pistol belonged to a female police officer in the area, whose service weapon it was. The officer has been detained and is under investigation. The registration information for the other revolver indicates that it is owned by a security agency in Cebu City, Philippines.

Currently, police are investigating the suspects' motives.

General Natates, chief of the Philippine National Police, issued a statement expressing condolences to the families of the victims and vowed to take all necessary measures to ensure justice.