In Zamboanga City: School shooting kills 2, injures 9

CEBU, Philippines — Two students were killed and nine others were seriously wounded after a junior high school student allegedly opened fire inside Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU) in Zamboanga City Tuesday morning, August 18.

ADZU confirmed the two fatalities in a statement. Local officials and police investigators identified the victims as junior high school students, including the alleged gunman.

The alleged shooter reportedly entered a classroom on the fourth floor of a school building and opened fire on Grade 9 students. The gunfire triggered panic on campus as students fled the area, according to witnesses and local reports.

Police Regional Office-9 Public Information Office chief Maj. Shellamie Chang said in a phone-patch interview with reporters that police received the first report of the shooting at about 7:50 a.m. Police immediately responded to the school.

Initial reports from Zamboanga City Police Station 7 chief Maj. Napoleon Velasco and Lt. Romeo Ocampo Jr. said police recovered Glock 9mm pistols from the alleged shooter.

The alleged shooter reportedly proceeded to another floor of the building after the attack and died after sustaining a gunshot wound. Local officials and police are still determining the exact circumstances surrounding the deaths and the sequence of events.

The alleged shooter’s close friends and relatives told reporters that he was known to be friendly and polite. They said they found claims that he was armed difficult to believe.

Local radio reports said the alleged shooter was armed with a pistol and a short-type combat rifle. The reports also said the minor’s father is a senior Bureau of Customs official in Region 9.

The alleged shooter was also reportedly seen livestreaming the incident on social media.

Circulating videos showed an individual carrying a long firearm and a pistol. The individual was seen firing at a person in front of a classroom before opening fire at others.

President Marcos orders probe

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the shooting and determine measures to prevent similar incidents.

In a statement, Marcos extended his sympathies to the families of the victims and said he had directed law enforcement agencies to investigate the case.

“I have directed our law enforcement agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into this incident and to determine what more must be done to prevent another family, another school, and another community from suffering the same grief,” Marcos’ statement read.

Meanwhile, Malacañang urged the public to stop making or tolerating threats on social media, saying such behavior sets a bad example for young people.

“Dito kasi nakikita na parang nato-tolerate pa ang pagbabanta sa buhay, pagkilala na may assassin, at handang pumatay. Hindi po ito magandang ehemplo,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing.

Castro also emphasized the importance of providing proper guidance to students in addressing violence involving young people.

“Panahon na po, hindi lamang po ang gobyerno, lahat po tayo especially kapag nasa school, kayo po ang magsilbing pangalawang guro sa ating mga kabataan,” she said.

The Zamboanga shooting is the latest in a series of school violence incidents involving minors in the Philippines, following a school shooting in Tacloban in June that also involved students.

BOC relieves father

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has relieved the father of the suspected gunman from his post as district commander of the Port of Zamboanga Enforcement and Security Services.

BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said the relief was ordered to allow an impartial investigation into possible negligence in the handling and safekeeping of the official’s service firearm.

Nepomuceno stressed that the father had no direct involvement in the shooting but said personnel issued firearms are accountable for their proper handling and safekeeping.

He said BOC personnel undergo training on firearm safety, including the proper handling and storage of firearms in the office, during missions, in the field and at home.

Nepomuceno also ordered a thorough review of the BOC’s firearm issuance and management system to further strengthen gun safety.

The Philippine National Police urged the public to remain calm and rely only on verified information from authorities. It also warned against sharing unverified reports, photos or videos that could cause unnecessary alarm.

The investigation and crime-scene processing by the Scene of the Crime Operations (SOCO) and other law enforcement personnel remain ongoing as authorities work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the shooting, including its motive and how the firearms were brought into the school. — (FREEMAN)