TWO students were killed in a gun-related incident at a private university’s junior high school campus in Zamboanga City on Tuesday morning, prompting President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to order thorough investigation and tighter safeguards in schools.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) said initial police information identified a Grade 9 student as the alleged shooter and a Grade 10 student among those affected in the shooting that occurred at about 7:50 a.m. The PNP withheld their identities because they are minors.
The PNP said police were verifying reports that firearms were brought into the campus and were checking how they entered the school, who owned them, their legal status, and the circumstances of their use.
“We will follow the facts, coordinate with the concerned authorities, and respect the privacy of the students and their families,” PNP chief Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr. said in a statement.
Mr. Marcos, in a statement, said he had directed law enforcement agencies to investigate the incident and determine what more could be done to prevent a similar tragedy.
Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno also ordered the relief and preventive suspension of a Customs Police personnel who owned firearms allegedly used by the student, pending investigation, the Bureau of Customs (BoC) said.
He also ordered an inventory of all BoC-issued firearms and a review of gun-safety compliance, with reports due within 24 hours.
Ateneo de Zamboanga confirmed two fatalities and said parents and guardians were asked to fetch students; while Zamboanga City Mayor Khymer Adan T. Olaso ordered the city-wide suspension of classes.
The shooting incident also prompted Senate President Sherwin T. Gatchalian to demand a thorough investigation and call on the Education department and the Zamboanga local government to provide immediate psychosocial support to distressed learners and school personnel.
While initial reports have not declared the incident to be related to nihilistic violent extremism (NVE), Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality Chairperson Ana Theresia “Risa” N. Hontiveros-Baraquel said they will continue the probe on online grooming for violent activities on Thursday.
“The primary aim of these hearings is to determine what we need to change in schools and young people’s online environments so that this never happens again,” Ms. Hontiveros said in a video statement.
Second Congressional Commission on Education Chairperson Emmanuel Joel J. Villanueva also urged the passage of the Safe Media Access and Responsible Technology for Kids in Digital Spaces Act which aims to shield minors from harmful online content.
Senator Mark A. Villar has likewise denounced the incident, pushing for the passage of school safety measures such as the Learning Institution’s Guaranteed Threat Avoidance and Safety Act and the Students’ Guidance Counseling Act which seeks to enhance school-based mental health services for students.
Senator Francis Pancratius N. Pangilinan also called for funding for more guidance counselors, stronger cyber safety policies against online grooming, and stricter gun ownership regulation. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking and Kaela Patricia B. Gabriel
