The death toll in the shooting incident at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City rose to four on Monday after one of the wounded students died while undergoing treatment at a hospital.
The shooting occurred at around 9 a.m. inside the school campus in Barangay San Jose.
Authorities identified the fatalities as Gerric, 15, a Grade 10 student; Ayessa, 14, a Grade 9 student; Joyancee, 13, a Grade 10 student; and Cris, a Grade 10 student, who later died after receiving medical treatment.
Nine other students were wounded in the attack and were brought to hospitals for treatment.
Police investigators recovered around 40 spent shell casings from the crime scene as authorities continued gathering evidence.
Authorities also confirmed that one of the firearms recovered from the suspects was a 9mm Glock pistol previously issued by the government to a policewoman who had already been dismissed from the police service. Investigators are tracing how the firearm ended up in the possession of the suspects.
Also recovered was a .38-caliber revolver.
The two rescued minor suspects were identified as a 15-year-old Grade 9 student and a 14-year-old Grade 9 student. Both remain under police custody.
Initial investigation cited alleged bullying inside the school as a possible motive behind the attack. However, police emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing and all circumstances surrounding the incident are still being verified.
Authorities are also conducting intelligence operations to determine whether another individual may have been involved in the shooting.
The recovered firearms and other pieces of evidence are now under police custody as investigators continue building the case.
