Two Philippine Students Arrested After Deadly School Shooting; Gaming App Blocked Pending Investigation

Two students, aged 14 and 15, opened fire at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, central Philippines, on Monday morning, killing three fellow students and wounding at least 20 others in a rare school shooting. The Grade 9 suspects, who were close friends, used a 9mm pistol and a .38 caliber revolver obtained from an aunt who is a police officer and a security agency employee respectively. Police said the attack was planned weeks in advance, potentially as early as April or May, and the suspects cited retaliation for school bullying as their motive during initial questioning.

Of the 20 wounded, 15 sustained gunshot injuries while five were hurt jumping from windows or in the panic to escape. Police recovered at least 40 shell casings at the scene. One suspect was arrested at the school immediately after the shooting, while the second fled and was later found hiding in a nearby house after residents alerted police. The suspects managed to bring firearms onto campus because only one security guard was stationed despite multiple entrances and exits at the school of over 1,500 students.

Authorities are investigating multiple potential influences beyond the bullying motive. Police say one suspect had posted violent videos online and was an avid user of the gaming app Gorebox, described as a "physics-driven sandbox game" centered on "unrestrained destruction." The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center temporarily blocked Gorebox on Tuesday to assess whether the platform played a role in fostering violence. Police are also examining possible influence from online groups promoting rebellion and violent behavior among youth. One suspect had received firearms training at a shooting range, and investigators noted he demonstrated proficiency in changing magazines during the attack.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered a thorough investigation and directed law enforcers to boost security across all schools, workplaces, and public areas. The suspects, being minors, will be turned over to government welfare officers after investigation. The 14-year-old may be exempt from criminal prosecution under a 2006 Philippine law that sets the minimum age for criminal liability at 15, unless authorities determine the suspect was clearly aware of the crime and its repercussions. The policewoman aunt who provided the 9mm pistol is under investigation, and the case has renewed focus on firearm proliferation and school security in the Philippines, where school shootings remain relatively rare despite widespread gun violence.