After Tacloban shooting, Iloilo City doubles down on school safety

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The Iloilo City government has called on school administrators and police authorities to strengthen security measures and intensify anti-bullying programs following a shooting inside San Jose National High School in Tacloban City on Monday, June 22, that left three students dead.

City Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu expressed deep concern over the tragedy, describing it as a wake-up call on the need to keep schools safe.

“Even if this did not happen in Iloilo City, this is a wake-up call for all of us. We must continue to strengthen security in our schools and ensure that our students learn in an environment that is safe, peaceful, and free from fear,” Treñas-Chu said.

Two suspects opened fire inside the school campus, according to police reports.

Two of the three fatalities were declared dead at the scene, while the third died after being transported to a hospital. Five others sustained injuries and are recovering in medical facilities.

Authorities said the suspects — both Grade 9 students aged 14 and 15 — were taken into custody.

Treñas-Chu ordered the Schools Division of Iloilo City, in coordination with the Iloilo City Police Office and other concerned agencies, to immediately tighten security protocols in all schools.

“Strengthen and double [the] security measures in all schools in the city. We should not wait for a similar incident to happen before we act,” she said.

Treñas-Chu also urged school officials, teachers, and parents to reinforce anti-bullying programs and strengthen early intervention mechanisms, stressing that violence and intimidation must never be tolerated in educational institutions.

“The safety of every Ilonggo learner will always be one of my highest priorities,” she added.

Police said an initial investigation showed the suspects were close friends and may have been victims of bullying that allegedly began as early as Grade 7.

Authorities are still determining how the firearms were brought inside the campus.

The Department of Education (DepEd) described the incident as a “high-alert situation,” noting that its personnel are actively on the ground, coordinating closely with school authorities and law enforcement to secure the premises and ensure student safety.

DepEd said it is also coordinating with relevant government agencies to deploy medical assistance and psychosocial interventions for affected students and personnel.

“We strongly condemn this act of violence and extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims, as well as our earnest prayers for the swift recovery of those who were injured,” the agency said.

The Tacloban shooting is the third school-related violence incident reported in the Philippines this month.

On June 16, a stabbing at a private school in Barangay Sta. Clara, Gen. Trias, Cavite left seven Grade 5 students injured. The assailant was a 14-year-old Grade 8 student and a new transferee.

Three days later, on June 19, an 18-year-old Grade 11 student was wounded after being stabbed by a Grade 11 classmate at Cavite National High School.