President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., may matinding direktiba kasunod ng trahedyang yumanig sa AdZU
- President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed grief over the tragedy at Ateneo de Zamboanga
- Marcos directed law enforcement agencies to conduct a thorough investigation
- He emphasized that schools should be among the safest places in the country
- The President vowed to strengthen safeguards protecting students and school communities
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President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has expressed his condolences to the families and the entire Ateneo de Zamboanga community following the tragic shooting incident at the school in Zamboanga City.
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In a statement released by the Office of the President, Marcos said the incident was a tragedy that “should never have happened” and stressed the importance of making schools safe spaces for students.
“We grieve with the families and the entire Ateneo de Zamboanga community over a tragedy that should never have happened,” Marcos said.
The President emphasized that schools play a crucial role in the lives of young Filipinos, serving as places where children learn, grow, and prepare for their future.
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“Our schools are where we entrust our children to learn, to grow and to dream about the lives ahead of them,” he said.
“They must also be among the safest places in our country.”
The statement came after a shooting at a high school affiliated with Ateneo de Zamboanga University on August 18, 2026. Authorities reported that two students died in the incident, including the student identified as the shooter.
Following the tragedy, Marcos said he had instructed law enforcement agencies to thoroughly investigate the incident and determine what additional measures may be necessary to prevent similar tragedies.
“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.”
The President's statement placed particular emphasis on strengthening preventive measures within schools, amid renewed concerns over campus security and student safety.
“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,” Marcos said.
The tragedy has also drawn renewed attention to school preparedness and emergency response. Ateneo de Zamboanga University had conducted a full human-induced simulation exercise in July 2026 in cooperation with various law enforcement, fire, disaster-response, and security agencies, highlighting the importance of preparedness and coordinated action in emergencies.
For Marcos, however, ensuring school safety goes beyond responding to individual incidents. His statement underscored the need for continued cooperation between schools, communities, and authorities to protect students from similar threats.
“Every Filipino family deserves that assurance,” the President said.
The incident in Zamboanga is the second reported school shooting in the Philippines within two months, following a deadly shooting in Tacloban City in June. The developments have intensified calls for stronger school safety measures and closer coordination among authorities, schools, parents, and communities.
In another report, authorities confirmed that a shooting incident was reported inside Ateneo de Zamboanga University on Tuesday morning. Maj. Shellamie Chang of the PRO-9 PIO and PCol Fidel Fortaleza, City Director of ZCPO, provided updates as an armed individual was reportedly seen opening fire within the school premises, prompting students to seek safety. Chang said investigators were working to establish what happened and determine the number of people who may have been affected. Fortaleza, meanwhile, assured worried parents and the public that the immediate danger had already been addressed.
Meanwhile, an alleged shooting incident at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University Junior High School caused concern among parents and the wider community. As unverified reports about possible casualties circulated online, the school issued a statement to clarify the situation and reassure the public. Ateneo, together with local authorities, confirmed that there was no longer an immediate threat on campus. Authorities continued their investigation as they worked to establish the facts surrounding the incident, including the circumstances that led to the campus lockdown and the unconfirmed reports.
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