Three killed, seven injured in rare Philippines school shooting

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

Police say two students opened fire at San Jose National High School in Tacloban city about 9am on Monday, local time.

The two alleged shooters, aged 14 and 15, have been taken into custody.

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

Regional police chief Brigadier General Jason Capoy said that the suspects, who were close friends, told investigators during initial questioning that they had been bullied in the government-run school.

"The suspects barged into two rooms because after the shooting in the first, the children scampered, and the suspects apparently ran after some victims into another room," Brigadier General Capoy told reporters.

Most of the casualties were female students, including the three people killed, he said.

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."

A Glock 9mm pistol used in the shooting was registered to a policewoman in the region, national police spokesman Allen Rae Co told a media briefing, adding that she had been taken into custody.

More than 40 empty shells were found at the scene, police added.

The other weapon used in the shooting, a 38 calibre pistol, was registered to a security agency in Cebu City, police said.

The Philippines' 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".

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, expressing sadness over the incident, ordered a thorough investigation and directed authorities to ensure safety and security in public places, especially schools.

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.