TACLOBAN CITY — As the city continues to recover from the deadly shooting at San Jose National High School that left three students dead and 20 others injured, Tacloban City Councilor Marty Romualdez on Thursday, June 25, visited hospitalized survivors and called for swift justice and stronger measures to ensure the safety of students.

Romualdez visited the injured students confined at ACE Medical Center Tacloban, Tacloban City Hospital, Eastern Visayas Medical Center (EVMC), Leyte Provincial Hospital, and Divine Word Hospital to check on their condition and personally express his support to the victims and their families.

During the visits, the city councilor met with parents and relatives, offering words of comfort and assuring them that the city government stands with them as they cope with the aftermath of the tragedy.

“The incident is deeply heartbreaking. We want to assure the victims and their families that the city government and the entire community are with them as they recover from this tragedy,” Romualdez said.

He stressed the importance of letting the victims know they are not alone as they continue to heal physically and emotionally while awaiting justice for those affected by the June 22 shooting.

In a privilege speech delivered during the regular session of the Tacloban City Council, Romualdez strongly condemned the violence that unfolded inside the school campus. He extended his condolences to the families of the three students who lost their lives and expressed solidarity with the injured students, teachers, and others affected by the incident.

The councilor called for a thorough, impartial, and expeditious investigation to ensure accountability and justice for the victims.

He also urged authorities to strengthen security measures in schools, improve emergency response protocols, and expand programs promoting peace, campus safety, and the mental well-being of students.

Romualdez said his office continues to coordinate with concerned government agencies to ensure that the victims and their families receive the assistance and support they need as they recover from the tragedy.

The June 22 shooting at San Jose National High School shocked the Tacloban community after two minor suspects allegedly entered the campus and opened fire, killing three students and injuring 20 others. The incident has prompted calls from government officials, educators, and community leaders for enhanced school security and expanded psychosocial support for students and school personnel.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara on Tuesday called for closer monitoring of students, expanded mental health programs, and stronger school safety measures following the deadly shooting at San Jose National High School that claimed the lives of three students and injured 20 others.

Speaking to reporters after meeting with the school’s administrators and teaching staff, Angara said the June 22 tragedy exposed deeper issues affecting the country’s youth, stressing that preventing similar incidents requires more than intensified security measures.

“I don’t think this is only a peace and order problem. We also need to manage and guide our children because they are exposed to a lot of violence online, and many of them do not have their parents around,” the education secretary said.

Three students were killed while 20 others were injured, including 15 who sustained gunshot wounds, after two student suspects allegedly opened fire inside the San Jose National High School campus while classes were in session.

Angara said information relayed to him indicated that one of the suspects had a parent working outside the province, prompting him to appeal to teachers and school administrators to become more attentive to the emotional and behavioral well-being of their students.

“My message to our teachers and principals is that we have to be like parents to these children. We should regularly check on them and look for signs that something may be wrong or that they are experiencing difficulties,” he said.

He also welcomed the Philippine National Police’s decision to increase police visibility around schools, saying school officials had observed that the presence of uniformed officers helps deter students from engaging in unlawful activities.

“We thank the PNP chief for increasing police visibility. Teachers have told us that when students see police officers patrolling, they tend to stay away and some plans are no longer carried out,” Angara said.

The education chief said he also hopes to speak personally with the two minor suspects to better understand what led to the shooting.

“I’d like to talk to them just to understand what their mindset was,” he said.

Asked whether the tragedy could have been prevented, Angara said future incidents may be avoided through early intervention, stronger guidance programs, and a better understanding of students’ behavior and emotional struggles.

He also emphasized the need to determine how the suspects obtained the firearm used in the attack, saying accountability should extend to those who supplied the weapon.
“We have to determine where the gun came from because it is not normal for children to have firearms. Not every household owns a gun, so we need to know how these two children obtained one,” he said.

Angara said it is still too early to determine whether school officials were negligent, noting that many students and teachers remain traumatized and are not yet ready to recount what happened.

“Our immediate concern is the welfare of the students and teachers. Many of them are still not ready to talk about what happened,” he said.

The education secretary also cautioned against sensationalizing the incident, warning that excessive publicity could encourage copycat attacks among vulnerable young people seeking attention on social media.

“It seems similar to copycat killings that we have seen elsewhere. We appeal to the media not to glorify these incidents because some children measure their worth through likes and attention on social media. They may do unusual or harmful things to gain recognition,” he said.

Angara expressed gratitude to the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Philippine Red Cross, church organizations, the University of the Philippines Tacloban, and other groups that have been providing psychosocial support and assistance to victims and their families.

He added that the Department of Education is now reviewing its emergency preparedness policies, including active shooter response protocols, to strengthen campus safety and ensure schools are better prepared for similar threats in the future.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — A Tacloban City driver-partner has earned national recognition after being named one of Maxim Rides & Food Delivery’s Outstanding Father Awardees, an honor given to top-performing fathers on the platform in celebration of Father’s Day.

Jerby Cuevas was among four driver-partners from across the country recognized by Maxim for their exceptional performance, dedication to their families, and commitment to providing quality service to customers.

Joining Cuevas on the list of awardees were Omar Uddin of Zamboanga City, Johnny Sanchez of Angeles City, and Lee Paca of Cebu City.

The recipients were selected based on the number of completed orders they recorded in May 2026, making them among Maxim’s top-performing driver-partners nationwide.
Cuevas’ recognition highlights the dedication of working fathers who balance the demands of earning a livelihood while fulfilling their responsibilities at home. Through his hard work and commitment as both a provider and service partner, he secured a place among the company’s most outstanding father driver-partners in the country.

As part of the recognition, the awardees received grocery packages and a week of zero commission as a token of appreciation for their contributions and exemplary performance.
According to Andres Morales Jr., president of Maxim Rides & Food Delivery, the initiative seeks to honor fathers who embody responsibility, sacrifice, and dedication while supporting their families and serving customers.

“Fatherhood comes with great responsibility, sacrifice, and dedication. We are proud to recognize these outstanding father driver-partners who work tirelessly every day to support their families while providing excellent service to our customers,” Morales said.

Maxim continues to support its driver-partners through various incentive and performance-based programs aimed at improving earning opportunities and recognizing their valuable contributions to the company and the communities they serve.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)