Three killed, suspects in custody after school shooting in Philippines

Three people have been killed in a shooting at a school in Tacloban city, the Philippines. (AFP: Jam Sta Rosa)

Local police have confirmed three people were killed and five others injured in a school shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban city.

A presidential spokesperson said the Philippine National Police had suspects in custody.

The Tacloban City Police said in a statement extensive investigations were underway to establish a motive for the shooting.

At least three people have been killed and another five injured in a rare school shooting incident in the central Philippines, according to police.

The shooting took place at San Jose National High School in Tacloban city about 9am local time on June 22.

The Tacloban City Police office strongly condemned the shooting and said police immediately arrived to secure the scene "upon receipt of the report".

"The injured victims were promptly provided assistance and brought to appropriate medical facilities for treatment," it said in a statement.

"At present, law enforcement authorities are conducting an extensive investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident, identify all persons involved, and establish the motive behind this unfortunate event.

Government broadcaster PTV reported that two people, both reportedly students, had been arrested, with one apprehended at the scene.

"The PNP has already caught the suspects. They acted quickly," presidential spokeswoman Claire Castro told reporters.

The Philippines's department of education said, in a statement, it was working closely with local school authorities and police to secure the school and "ensure safety, security and protection".

"To address the immediate emotional toll of this tragedy, the department is working hand-in-hand with relevant government agencies to deploy critical medical assistance and appropriate psychosocial interventions for the affected learners and personnel," it said.

The department said it was committed to ensuring "schools are secure, supportive environments for all".

While school shootings are a rarity in the Philippines, targeted gun violence is a fixture of provincial politics.

In 2022, three people, including a former city mayor, were killed in a shooting incident before a graduation ceremony at Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines capital.

It was later determined to have been an assassination driven by "personal motives".

Legal gun ownership is tightly regulated in the South-East Asian country, but a large black market exists for firearms.