How did two guns reach a school? PNP probes fatal Zamboanga shooting

Floyd Brenz., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
August 19, 2026

Photo Courtesy: AFP

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The Philippine National Police is focusing its investigation on how a minor was able to bring two firearms inside a school in Zamboanga City, as authorities move to prevent videos of the fatal shooting from spreading online.

The incident at Ateneo de Zamboanga University Junior High School has renewed concerns over how minors can gain access to firearms and how weapons can bypass school security measures.

The PNP has ordered the removal of videos and images of the shooting circulating online, particularly material that could further expose the minors involved.

Investigators are now working to determine where the firearms came from, how they were obtained and how they were brought into the school premises.

The probe comes after the Grade 9 student allegedly entered the campus carrying a pistol and a rifle before opening fire inside a classroom, killing another student and later taking his own life.

Beyond determining what happened inside the classroom, authorities now face a critical question: How did two firearms get into a school in the first place?

The case has renewed calls for stronger school security, tighter controls on minors’ access to firearms and greater protection for students from violence.

The PNP is also urging the public not to share videos or photos of the attack, as authorities continue investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting.