The Police Regional Office in Eastern Visayas (PRO-8) said the two Grade 9 students involved in the deadly shooting inside a school in Tacloban City were reportedly victims of bullying.
The shooting occurred at around 9 a.m. inside the school premises in Barangay San Jose, leaving three students dead and seven others injured.
Both suspects, aged 14 and 15, have been taken into police custody.
“We have yet to confirm it, but they were reportedly bullied since Grade 7. Our interviews together with the DSWD, teachers and school officials are still ongoing,” PRO-8 Director Brig. Gen. Jason Capoy said in a phone interview.
Capoy said the two suspects allegedly opened fire on students in two classrooms.
According to investigators, the victims who were hit may not have been the intended targets.
“As per interview ng investigator natin, hindi yung targeted mga nadale,” Capoy said.
“After nagkaroon ng putok, nag-scamper yung mga bata, parang may hinabol yata,” he added.
Capoy said authorities have yet to determine whom the suspects were allegedly targeting.
The two minors will be turned over to the Tacloban City Social Welfare and Development Office, he added.
Authorities, together with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, school officials, and teachers, are continuing their investigation into the incident.
