Tacloban School Shooting Leaves Three Dead as Bullying Motive Emerges

Police recovered 40 shell casings from the scene, revealing the use of a 9 mm Glock pistol and a .38-caliber revolver. Investigations into the origins of these firearms have uncovered disturbing links: the pistol was officially issued to a police officer currently under investigation, while the revolver is registered to a security agency in Cebu City. Authorities have placed both suspects in the custody of social welfare services as the community grapples with this rare act of violence on school grounds.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered a comprehensive probe into the shooting, demanding heightened security protocols across public institutions. The incident occurs just weeks after the academic year resumed, casting a shadow over the national education system. While gun control laws in the Philippines require rigorous background checks and psychological evaluations, the circulation of illicit firearms continues to pose a significant challenge to public safety, echoing the shock felt after the 2022 Ateneo de Manila University graduation shooting.