Two students killed in shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University

Two students killed in shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University

Two students were killed in a shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University on Tuesday morning, with police identifying one of the dead as the suspected gunman who opened fire inside a classroom.

The shooting took place at the Junior High School campus of the Catholic and Jesuit institution in Zamboanga City on August 18. According to a preliminary police report, a Grade 9 student brought a pistol and a rifle onto the campus and opened fire at students inside a classroom without apparent provocation.

This marks the second fatal school shooting in the Philippines in less than two months. On June 22, 2026, a shooting at a school in Tacloban City killed three students and injured at least 20 others in what has been described as the first mass school shooting in Philippine history.

Police from the Zamboanga City Police Office responded to Tuesday's incident along with regional forensic, intelligence and criminal investigation units, as well as the local field unit of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group. The Philippine National Police said the situation was brought under control, while investigators work to establish what happened.

Investigation underway

PNP Chief PGEN Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. has ordered a full investigation into the shooting. Regional police director PBGEN Dennis A. Esguerra said authorities were working with the school administration and community to establish the facts and ensure accountability.

Investigators are gathering and validating information, while forensic personnel process the scene and secure evidence. Police said they would refrain from drawing conclusions until the fact-finding process is complete and the evidence has been verified.

The incident raises questions about how a minor obtained access to firearms. Under Philippine law, a person must be at least 21 years old to possess a firearm legally, and gun owners are criminally liable if they permit a minor to access their weapon.

Rare but alarming pattern

School shootings are rare in the Philippines, which has relatively strict gun ownership regulations including background checks and psychological evaluation requirements for firearms licenses. However, the recent incidents have sparked alarm about an emerging pattern of school violence.

In July 2026, the Philippine House of Representatives introduced a bill requiring gun owners living with minors to store firearms unloaded and locked in safes with tamper-resistant mechanisms, a direct legislative response to the recent school shooting crisis.

The Philippine National Police has noted the challenge of securing educational institutions across the country, with more than 40,000 public schools and around 6,000 private schools making it logistically impossible to assign police to all campuses.

Support for affected community

The Department of Education said it was gravely concerned over the shooting and was coordinating with mental health partners to provide Psychological First Aid and psychosocial support to affected learners, families and school personnel.

Both the department and police authorities urged the public not to circulate unconfirmed reports, photographs or videos related to the incident, particularly material involving students and other affected individuals.

Ateneo de Zamboanga University, founded by the Society of Jesus in 1912, is the second oldest Jesuit school in the Philippines. Further information will be released once facts have been verified and are appropriate for public disclosure, authorities said.