Marcos orders probe into Ateneo de Zamboanga shooting that left 2 dead

Abi Sarabia M., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
August 18, 2026

Photo courtesy: The Guardian

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Two people were killed, including the suspected shooter, in a shooting incident at the Junior High School campus of Ateneo de Zamboanga University (AdZU) on Tuesday morning, August 18.

Zamboanga City Mayor Khymer Olaso said the shooter, a Grade 9 student, brought a pistol and a rifle onto campus and opened fire inside a classroom before turning the weapon on himself. The other person killed was a student a grade above him.

AdZU President Fr. Anthony “Ernald” Andal, SJ confirmed there is no longer an active threat and no additional fatalities or injuries have been recorded. Students were evacuated to safety and are being released to parents and guardians.

“We do not want any of these things to happen. We wish to prioritize the safety of all our students,” Andal said in a briefing.

The university has declared a day of mourning and prayer on Wednesday, August 19, and has suspended classes at all levels. The Department of Education (DepEd) said it is coordinating with mental health partners to provide psychological first aid and psychosocial support to affected students, families, and school personnel.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. expressed profound grief over the incident and directed national law enforcement agencies to conduct a full-scale investigation into its root causes, along with steps to prevent similar incidents in schools nationwide.

“We grieve with the families and the entire Ateneo de Zamboanga community over a tragedy that should never have happened,” the President said in an official statement.

Marcos underscored the role schools play in children’s lives, saying, “Our schools are where we entrust our children to learn, to grow and to dream about the lives ahead of them. They must also be among the safest places in our country.”

He also directed law enforcement to determine what further measures are needed to prevent future incidents. 

“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,” Marcos said.

Authorities, including the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation, are continuing their investigation into the shooting. 

Officials have appealed to the public to avoid sharing unverified information, photos, or videos related to the incident, citing concerns over privacy for those affected and interference with the ongoing investigation.