ASEANEWS HEADLINE-CYBER CRIME | MANILA: 2 dead in Ateneo de Zamboanga shooting
The Junior High School building of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University./ Philstar.com / Martin Ramos
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WATCH VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrJkutopCus
Two dead in Ateneo de Zamboanga HS shooting incident | ANC
Dateline Philippines: A shooting at the Ateneo de Zamboanga campus on Tuesday left two students dead, including the alleged shooter, authorities said.The shooting happened early morning as classes were “about to start” at the Ateneo de Zamboanga’s high school campus in Barangay Tumaga, said PMaj. Shellamie Chang, public information officer of Police Regional Office 9. — Report from Queenie Casimiro, ABS-CBN News
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MANILA, Philippines — A junior high school student killed a classmate before shooting himself dead in a rampage inside the Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU) campus in Barangay Tumaga, Zamboanga City yesterday morning.
The shooting occurred at around 7:45 a.m., barely an hour after classes began.
Zamboanga City Mayor Khymer Adan Olaso said the gunman first entered a classroom on the fourth floor and fired at a teacher who was seated at a table but missed.
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“He did not hit the teacher so he moved to another room and shot a student. That’s the one who fell. That’s the one who died. Two others were injured. The shooter killed himself afterwards,” Olaso recounted in an interview with dzBB.
A video of the shooting was reportedly shared by the student’s classmates on social media.
The gunman was carrying two firearms and appeared to have recorded the attack using a body camera.
Investigators later recovered two 9mm Glock pistols at the scene, along with a firearms bag and backpack allegedly belonging to the suspect.
Authorities are now looking into how the firearms were brought inside the school despite the presence of security guards.
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Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said that investigators are also examining the suspect’s social media accounts, gaming history and chat records, “so we can come up with a complete answer, including the complete forensic analysis of why this happened.”
The suspect’s father, a Bureau of Customs officer, was relieved from his post pending an investigation into how his son obtained the firearms.
Olaso said initial information described the suspect as an honor student and a “Roblox enthusiast.”
“That is why we must ban this kind of gaming app in our country,” the mayor said.
Classes were suspended until tomorrow following the shooting.
“We will wait until it is investigated fully, thoroughly. We are waiting for the Scene of the Crime Operatives’ final investigation. I can’t give you everything yet because it is still being investigated,” Olaso said.
“The PNP will provide verified information as appropriate and appeal to the public to refrain from sharing unconfirmed reports, photos or videos that may cause unnecessary concern,” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a separate statement.
The Department of Health has deployed mental health and psychosocial support teams to Ateneo de Zamboanga University to assist those affected by the shooting and cover the victims’ medical expenses.
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Grief, solidarity
Following the shooting, various institutions and government agencies expressed grief and solidarity with the victims and all the students affected.
In a statement, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said he was deeply saddened by the shooting and extended his sympathies to the grieving families, teachers, learners and school personnel.
“As a father, my heart goes out to the parents who are grieving today. My sympathies are likewise with all the families affected by this tragedy, as well as the teachers, learners and school personnel who experienced this terrible incident,” he said.
Angara directed the Department of Education Regional Office IX to coordinate with the school and other concerned authorities and make psychosocial and financial support available to affected learners, teachers, families and school personnel.
The agency also appealed to the public to refrain from posting or sharing videos, photographs and other sensitive material showing the incident or its aftermath.
“Let us choose compassion over clicks. Our priority must be the safety, dignity and healing of the affected school community,” DepEd said.
The Ateneo de Davao University, meanwhile, condemned the shooting, with its president, Fr. Karel San Juan, expressing grief and solidarity with the ADZU community.
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“Ateneo de Davao University stands in grief and solidarity with Ateneo de Zamboanga University following the violence that struck their community,” San Juan said.
“We mourn those whose lives were lost. We pray for those who were injured, for the families of all those affected and for the entire AdZU community,” he added.
Stressing that firearms must never become an answer to anger, conflict, grievance or despair, he declared: “We strongly condemn gun violence. No to gun violence. No to weapons in our schools. No to the normalization of violence.”
Accountability
The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) flagged how deeply alarming the continuing occurrence of violent incidents inside schools involving young people.
“We call for a thorough investigation and accountability for those responsible for this grave failure to safeguard young people. Authorities must determine where the firearm came from, how it came into the child’s possession and who was responsible for securing it,” ACT said.
The group called for increased funding for mental health and psychosocial services in schools and communities, as well as a curriculum that promotes human rights, social responsibility and the value of young people as citizens.
“We urgently call for prioritizing funding for and strengthening mental and psychosocial support and services in schools and communities, alongside a curriculum that strengthens young people’s understanding of human rights, social responsibility and their value as human beings and citizens,” it said.
Echoing ACT’s statements, EDCOM 2 also said that the recent tragic events in schools were a stark reminder that authorities “must act now” to safeguard students inside and outside the classroom.
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“It goes beyond bullying by ensuring students’ mental health is secure and prioritized. Every Filipino learner deserves a safe, supportive space to learn, grow and thrive,” it said.
The commission called for immediate support and psychological first aid for affected communities, along with urgent policy reforms to strictly implement anti-bullying policies and strengthen student safety and well-being nationwide.
“Educational institutions must remain safe havens for learning and growth,” it said. — Roel Pareño, Bella Cariaso, John Unson, Rhodina Villanueva
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August 19, 2026
