MANILA, Philippines – The two minors involved in the June 22 deadly school shooting in Tacloban City appeared to have planned the attack, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.

PNP spokesperson Colonel Allen Rae Co told a Palace briefing on Tuesday, June 23, that investigators found that one of the suspects, a 14-year-old identified by the alias “Nash,” arrived at San Jose National High School at about 7:30 am and entered a restroom after the Monday flag ceremony.

At around 8 am, the second suspect, a 15-year-old identified by the alias “Rod,” joined him in the restroom. The two left about an hour later, and gunfire erupted at around 9:20 am, Co said.

The suspects, both students of the school, fired at least 34 rounds, according to the police investigation.

Police said three students were killed and 15 others were wounded in the shooting, while five more sustained injuries not caused by gunfire.

“All indications point to the fact na na-plan talaga. ‘Yong araw nalang mismo ng June 22, maaga sila pumunta. Siguro lalo nilang pinolish ‘yong plan nila dun sa comfort room,” Co told reporters.

“Talagang hindi heat of the moment ‘to. Hindi yong papasok sila ay nagpaputok na. Nag-usap pa po sila sa CR for more than an hour bago po nila ginawa itong krimen na ito,” he said.

(All indications point to the fact that this was planned. On June 22, they arrived early in the school. Maybe they polished their plan further in the restoom. It’s not in a heat of the moment. It’s not that they went to school then opened fire. They talked in the restroom for more than an hour before they committed the crime.)

In a Sunstar Philippines report, Eastern Visayas Police Director Brigadier General Jason Capoy said the suspects may have planned the shooting for over a month.

During Tuesday’s briefing, Co said the suspects’ claim that they were victims of bullying remains unconfirmed. The PNP official said they were “heavily influenced” by online content. 

The two, considered children in conflict with the law, are already under the custody of the Tacloban City Social Welfare and Development Office.

On Tuesday, the PNP relieved the non-commissioned police officer whose gun was used by her nephew, the 14-year-old suspect.

The rare school shooting incident in the country has prompted a review on safety protocols in schools for both the PNP and the Department of Education.

The Senate will conduct a hearing into the tragedy on July 1. – Rappler.com