Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered a full investigation into a deadly shooting at a secondary school in Tacloban City that left three people dead and five others injured, authorities said on Monday.

The shooting occurred at around 9:00 a.m. at San Jose National High School in Tacloban, located on Leyte Island, approximately 580 kilometers southeast of Manila. Police said two suspects have been taken into custody as investigators work to determine the motive behind the attack.

According to Reuters, the president expressed sadness over the incident and instructed law enforcement agencies and local authorities to strengthen security measures in schools and other public establishments across the country.

Tacloban police chief Noelito Getigan said the suspects used a .38-caliber revolver and a 9mm firearm during the attack. One of the suspects, a Grade 9 student who is a minor, was arrested shortly after the shooting, while the second suspect later surrendered to authorities.

Police said the victims were rushed to nearby medical facilities for treatment. Additional security personnel have since been deployed to the school to ensure the safety of students, teachers and staff.

The Philippine Department of Education described the incident as a "high alert situation" and extended its condolences to the families of those killed and injured.

School shootings are relatively rare in the Philippines. One of the country's most notable gun attacks occurred in July 2022, when a gunman opened fire during a law school graduation ceremony at Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City, killing three people, including former Lamitan City mayor Rose Furigay.

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