Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian has strongly condemned the shooting incident at Ateneo de Zamboanga University Junior High School in Zamboanga City, which left two people dead and several others injured.
Initial reports said gunshots were heard within the school premises on Tuesday, August 18, prompting authorities to secure the area and attend to affected students and personnel. DZRH reported two fatalities and nine injuries in connection with the incident. Gatchalian called for a thorough investigation into the shooting, particularly the circumstances surrounding the presence of firearms inside the school.
“I strongly condemn the shooting incident at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University Junior High School, which, based on initial reports, left two students dead and several others injured,” Gatchalian said.
The Senate President also urged the Department of Education (DepEd) and the local government of Zamboanga to immediately provide psychosocial support to students and school personnel distressed by 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,” he said.
Gatchalian emphasized the need to determine how the firearms were obtained and brought onto school grounds.
“We need clear answers on how the shooter was able to obtain two firearms and how these firearms were brought into the school premises,” he said.
Authorities have said the situation was brought under control, while an investigation into the incident is underway. Initial police reports cited a student gunman who brought firearms into the school and opened fire, resulting in the death of another student before the gunman also died.
Gatchalian expressed solidarity with the Ateneo de Zamboanga community as it deals with the aftermath of the shooting.
“I stand with the Ateneo de Zamboanga community during this challenging time,” he said.
“Patuloy tayong makikipagtulungan sa sektor ng edukasyon at sa ating mga komunidad upang masugpo ang karahasan sa ating mga paaralan,” Gatchalian added.
The incident has renewed calls for stronger security measures in schools and closer coordination among education officials, local governments and law enforcement agencies to prevent similar incidents.
