Senators demand answers, stronger school security after Zamboanga shooting

Floyd Brenz., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
August 18, 2026

PHOTO COURTESY: SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES

Philippines — Senators are calling for a thorough investigation into how a student allegedly brought two firearms into a school in Zamboanga City, resulting in a fatal classroom shooting.

Senate President Win Gatchalian said authorities must determine how the shooter obtained the firearms and how the weapons entered the Ateneo de Zamboanga University Junior High School.

“We need clear answers on how the shooter was able to obtain two firearms and how these firearms were brought into the school premises,” Gatchalian said.

Initial reports said a Grade 9 student entered the campus with a pistol and a rifle and opened fire inside a classroom, killing another student before taking his own life.

Senators also urged authorities to strengthen school security while providing psychosocial support to students and school personnel affected by the incident.

Senator Bam Aquino said the shooting was particularly painful for parents who expect schools to be safe spaces for their children.

Senator Joel Villanueva, meanwhile, called for stronger measures against minors’ access to firearms, stressing that “no weapon should ever find its way into a classroom.”

Senator Risa Hontiveros also said investigators should determine whether the incident has any connection to Nihilistic Violent Extremism or online communities being examined following the earlier school shooting in Tacloban City.

The latest incident comes less than two months after the June 22 shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban, where three students were killed and several others injured.

Authorities are now facing renewed calls to strengthen school safety, firearm controls, early threat detection and mental health support to prevent another tragedy.