TWO persons were killed while 9 other students were seriously wounded during another mass shooting in a school, this time in Zamboanga City, sparking another frenzy of hand-wringing over how such violence can be avoided by measures like stricter gun laws, internet and social-media regulation and expanded psychosocial services for youth.
The fatalities included the student-suspect named Jalani and another student.
Livestreamed violent act
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed that the Grade 9 student involved in the shooting incident at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University-Junior High School livestreamed the incident on social media on the morning of August 18, 2026.
However, Undersecretary Renato Paraiso of the CICC, asked about the mention of the shooter’s alleged addiction to the controversial e-games, said:
‘Hindi pa sya confirmed na Roblox. Hindi pa naiinvestigahan yung phone [It’s not yet confirmed as Roblox. The phone has not yet been examined]. This kid is actually an honor student, grade conscious siya.’
He added, ‘There might be an influence [from the games], but there is no digital evidence yet to prove any link. We are going to investigate with the PNP ACG [Anti-cybercrime Group]. But our initial intervention is to take down the videos and preserve them for the PNP.’
Remulla said the child in conflict with the law (CICL) died after jumping from the fifth floor of the school building following the shooting, which also resulted in the death of a Grade 10 student.
Remulla said the Philippine National Police (PNP) is conducting a thorough investigation to establish the motive behind the shooting, determine the ownership and source of the firearm used, and find out how it was brought inside the school campus.
The PNP is also looking into whether security or procedural lapses may have contributed to the incident.
The DILG condoled with the families of the dead and assured the school community that authorities are working to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and ensure the safety and well-being of students and school personnel.
In a statement, PNP Chief PGen Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the police organization will provide verified information as appropriate and appealed to the public to refrain from sharing unconfirmed reports, photos, or videos that may cause unnecessary concern.
The suspect was a 4th-year high school student whose father is an official of the Zamboanga City Customs Office. The boy used a Glock 9 mm and brandished an M16 assault rifle, a source told the BusinessMirror.
Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno on Tuesday relieved the District Commander of the Enforcement and Security Services (ESS) in Zamboanga port, the father of the suspect. The BOC chief noted that although ESS Zamboanga chief Lt. Lars Jalani had nothing to do with the incident, the order was necessary to ensure an impartial investigation.
Allegedly, the student who belongs to the ‘top of the class’ went berserk and came to school ‘live-streaming’ his violent act.
The source said the suspect was looking for a class teacher, an alleged male LGBT, for still unknown reasons.
Day of prayer, mourning
Ateneo de Zamboanga University President Fr. Anthony ‘Ernald’ Andal, SJ, on Tuesday declared the observance of a day of mourning and prayer on August 19, Wednesday.
Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, in a statement, condemned the incident.
‘I demand a thorough investigation and call on the DepEd and the local government of Zamboanga to provide immediate psychosocial support to distressed learners and school personnel.’
According to Gatchalian, clear answers on how the shooter obtained two firearms and brought these into the school premises need to be provided.
House Speaker Faustino ‘Bojie’ G. Dy III said in a statement, ‘As lawmakers, our work cannot begin only after a tragedy has happened. We have to look for the gaps before another family has to bury a child.’
Health Secretary Edwin Mercado directed the immediate deployment of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS) teams. ‘We are ready to provide professionals to support the processing and healing of those involved, as well as assistance with medical expenses,’ the DOH said.
Meanwhile, Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara said, ‘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.’
Angara said the Department of Education (DepEd) has directed its Regional Office IX to coordinate with the school and other concerned authorities and to make psychosocial support available to affected learners, teachers, and families as needed.
Previous cases
The Zamboanga school shooting was preceded by several other school attacks. In June, at a public high school in Tacloban City, three students were killed, and about 20 others were injured when two of the students of the same school opened fire randomly at fleeing victims.
In Cavite, a Grade 8 student attacked and injured seven Grade 5 pupils with a kitchen knife at Bethal Academy. Days later, another stabbing occurred following a fistfight at Cavite National High.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said schools should be among the safest places in the country, noting these are where Filipino children are entrusted to learn, grow, and pursue their dreams.
‘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,’ he said.
‘We will work with our schools and communities to strengthen the safeguards that protect our students and ensure that they can pursue their education without fear,’ he said.
Gordon: Kids under pressure
Expressing deep shock and sadness, former senator and now Red Cross chairman Richard J. Gordon said, ‘What makes this even more disturbing is that a child reportedly had access to two firearms, including an M16 and a .45-caliber handgun.
‘How did a child get access to these weapons? This should never have happened. And this is not the first time we have seen violence involving children in our schools. It is getting worse. We have seen students attacked with knives and guns inside schools, and now we are seeing another shooting involving a young student.
‘We have to ask ourselves: Are our children beginning to imitate the violence they see around them?’
Beyond social media discipline, Gordon said, the other problems besetting children should be addressed urgently: ‘Our children are under enormous pressure. They face bullying, academic pressure, family problems, isolation, and problems that adults sometimes do not see. They need guidance. They need someone to talk to. They need parents and teachers who will listen before a problem becomes a tragedy.’
Senators aghast
Senators were aghast at the latest school shooting and vowed to keep pushing pending initiatives for a more integrated approach to ending school violence and keeping campuses safe.
The Committee on Women is scheduled to mount another hearing this Thursday on the wave of school shootings across the country.
‘We will continue the fights against NVE [nihilistic violent extremism], against online grooming for serious violent activity, and other threats to the safety of our children this Thursday,’ Sen. Risa Hontiveros, Women’s committee chair, said in a statement hours after the Zamboanga violence broke.
‘In truth, if violence is not just being perpetrated, but also put on display, copied, or even livestreamed, then that means the [problem society faces is even deeper and bigger,’ added the chair of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality.
For Sen. Joel Villanueva, ‘The tragic school shooting in Zamboanga is a painful reminder that our children deserve nothing less than a safe and secure environment.
He then cited the reforms they are pushing under the Second Congressional Commission on Education (Edcom 2), which ‘not only encompass the school curriculum, but also the safety of our students, who are exposed to social and environmental factors.’
As co-chair of Edcom2, Villanueva said he supports ‘proposed measures that directly address school violence and strengthen safety and security in our schools.’
At the same time, they are eyeing possible legislation ‘to tighten gun control and promote responsible firearms ownership, storage, and safety, particularly to prevent children and other unauthorized persons from gaining access to firearms. These are difficult but necessary conversations, because no weapon should ever find its way into a classroom or be used to cut short the life of a child.’
The bill on social media ban for children is among the Ledac priorities.
Senator Mark A. Villar renewed his push for Senate Bill No. 2321, or the proposed Ligtas Act, will establish a comprehensive safety and security framework for basic education institutions nationwide. The measure includes stronger threat assessment and reporting mechanisms, closer coordination between schools and law enforcement agencies, emergency response protocols, parent notification systems, first-aid preparedness, regular emergency drills, and crisis counseling.
Villar also cited Senate Bill No. 2133, or the proposed Students’ Guidance Counseling Act, to strengthen guidance and school-based mental health services and provide students with greater access to qualified professionals, preventive programs, referral mechanisms, and appropriate intervention.