Three people have been killed and several others injured in a school shooting in the Philippines, local authorities have confirmed. The incident occurred at a secondary school in the southern province of Maguindanao del Sur on Wednesday morning. Police have arrested the suspect, a 17-year-old male student who allegedly targeted his victims over a long-standing bullying grudge.
The suspect, whose identity has not been released due to his age, is said to have brought a handgun to school and opened fire in a classroom shortly before classes began. Two students and a teacher were killed, while four others sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The teacher, identified as Mrs. Luzviminda Santos, 45, was reportedly trying to shield her students when she was struck.
Initial police investigations indicate that the suspect had been repeatedly bullied by a group of classmates. The attack appears to have been meticulously planned, with the suspect writing a manifesto detailing his grievances. In a note recovered by authorities, he wrote of 'years of humiliation' and a desire for 'payback'. The note also contained warnings to other bullies, though police have not disclosed full contents.
This tragedy underscores a disturbing global trend of school violence rooted in bullying. In the Philippines, school shootings remain rare due to strict gun control laws, but the incident has reignited debates about the mental health support for adolescents and the prevalence of bullying in educational institutions. The Department of Education has announced a nationwide review of anti-bullying policies and counselling services.
Dr. Maria Ressa, a child psychologist interviewed by local media, described the attack as a 'cry for help gone horribly wrong'. 'We fail our children when we ignore the signs of deep psychological distress,' she said. 'Bullying is not a rite of passage; it is a form of violence that can have lethal consequences.'
The suspect is currently in police custody and will face charges of multiple murder and attempted murder. Under Philippine law, minors aged 15 and above can be tried as adults for serious crimes. A motive of revenge appears solid, but investigators are also examining whether the suspect had access to the firearm through a relative's unsecured storage.
The community has been left in shock. Classes at the school have been suspended indefinitely, and grief counselling has been made available for students and staff. Vigils are planned for the victims, with many calling for stronger measures to protect children from both bullying and easy access to weapons.
This is a developing story, and further details will be released as the investigation proceeds.
