Two victims discharged after Tacloban school shooting

The suspects in the gruesome shooting incident in a high school grounds in Tacloban City.
Two students wounded in the 22 June shooting at San Jose National High School (SJNHS) in Tacloban City have been discharged from the hospital, while 11 other injured learners remain confined but are no longer in immediate danger, the Department of Education (DepEd) said on Saturday.
In an update, the Schools Division Office (SDO) of Tacloban City said three other victims who remain in the intensive care unit are now in stable condition and are fully conscious and responsive.
The shooting, which left three students dead and several others wounded, prompted DepEd to deploy psychosocial first aid (PFA) teams to assist learners, teachers, parents, and school personnel dealing with the aftermath of the attack.
According to the department, the counseling sessions have also been extended to hospitalized victims and their parents or guardians.
Volunteer mental health professionals from government agencies, faith-based groups, and civic organizations have joined the effort, facilitating individual and group counseling, storytelling, art therapy, and other activities to help survivors process trauma.
DepEd said the interventions prioritize learners who witnessed the shooting or lost close friends in the incident.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the department would continue supporting the affected school community as victims recover.
"Nandito ang buong DepEd para maghatid ng pangmatagalang kalinga, dahil higit sa pisikal na kaligtasan, tungkulin nating ibalik ang kapanatagan sa puso ng bawat mag-aaral, magulang, at guro," Angara said.
Angara earlier traveled to Tacloban City to visit the families of the three students killed in the attack, check on the condition of the wounded learners, and meet with school personnel to discuss their well-being and campus concerns.
The shooting also prompted DepEd to launch a nationwide School Safety Campaign aimed at strengthening learner protection and campus security.
As part of the initiative, Angara conducted a school safety audit at Parañaque National High School to inspect entrance screening procedures and other security measures.
Meanwhile, the SDO of Tacloban City said it continues to monitor the condition of the victims and coordinate assistance for affected families.
School officials are also working with the Tacloban City government and the Philippine National Police to implement enhanced security measures.
