It is yet another incident that shocked the school community and the rest of the country.
Following the shooting incident at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University (AdZU) – Junior High School campus in Zamboanga City on Tuesday, August 18, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed his sympathy to the families of the casualties.
“We grieve with the families and the entire Ateneo de Zamboanga community over a tragedy that should never have happened,” he said.
“Our schools are where we entrust our students 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 agencies to throughly investigate the incident and to determine preventive measures to ensure school security and 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. Every Filipino family deserves that assurance,” the President’s statement read.
EMERGENCY INTERVENTION
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, August 19, Education Secretary Sonny Angara led emergency intervention efforts in Zamboanga City.
There, Angara met with university officials led by President Fr. Guillrey Anthony M. Andal, SJ, Zamboanga City local government officials, and representatives from the Philippine National Police (PNP), for a joint security briefing to review campus protocols and adjust emergency measures.
On behalf of the Department of Education (DepEd), Angara extended his condolences to the bereaved families and the entire Ateneo de Zamboanga community.
He also stressed that the safety of students and the well-being of the youth are universal concerns that do not discriminate between public and private schools and called on the entire community to implement a whole-of-nation approach.
“Dapat natin i-approach itong problema bilang isang komunidad, dahil problema ito hindi lang ng isang eskwelahan pero palagay ko problema ito ng ating kabataan, ng komunidad, at ng bawat komunidad sa buong bansa,” said Angara.
In discussions with school officials and local authorities, the official emphasized that while physical protections such as perimeter fences, CCTV cameras, metal detectors, and a stronger police presence are important—this must be coupled with active community participation and strong emotional support systems within schools.
He stressed, “Talagang makihalubilo tayo sa ating mga estudyante, kilalanin natin sila, kumustahin natin sila. Kasi ang silbi talaga ng eskwelahan hindi lang magturo, kung hindi parang pangalawang tahanan.”
Angara also emphasized that a safe environment starts at home, and urged parents to be more attentive to the well-being of their children.
Meanwhile, he also relayed that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has emphasized the creation of a safe and orderly environment where teachers actively check in on the well-being of students, and older students serve as guardians to their fellow students.
Moreover, to address security concerns, the PNP will increase police visibility around schools, while barangay tanods to be assigned to enforce additional security, especially in schools without security guards.
Angara also highlighted the need to expand socio-emotional learning and mental health initiatives in all schools, in conjunction with the university’s ongoing provision of psychosocial support interventions to affected individuals.
CIRCULATING NEWS ON SOCIAL MEDIA, REPORTING BY NEWS OUTLETS
As regards to the online rumors following the incident, Angara issued a strong call to the public, digital content creators, and news outlets to be responsible in their use of digital media and protect the dignity of minors.
“Ang pagprotekta sa mga bata ay nangangahulugan din ng pagprotekta sa kanilang privacy at dignidad,” he told. “Ang pagpapakalat ng mga hindi kumpirmadong detalye, sensitibong larawan, o marahas na video ay lalo lamang nagpapalalim ng trauma at nagdudulot ng karagdagang dalamhati sa mga nagdadalamhating pamilya, mga batang mag-aaral, at mga empleyado ng paaralan.”
DepEd has also previously urged the public in its earlier statement on Tuesday to immediately stop sharing sensitive images or unconfirmed statements, and to give the affected families the dignity, space, and privacy they need during this time.
As the police investigation continues, Angara also reminded the public and the media to refrain from drawing premature conclusions while the facts of the incident are still being determined.
“We urge the public to refrain from spreading unverified information and sharing sensitive photos, videos or details about the incident, especially since minors are involved.”
For their part, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) has urged state media to exercise the highest level of caution in reporting incidents involving minors and appealed to private media organizations to ensure their coverage protects the dignity, safety, and privacy of minors and their bereaved families.
PCO Secretary Dave Gomez said the agency would not impose restrictions on private media organizations but respectfully appealed to them to exercise care and responsibility in their coverage, particularly in sensitive cases involving minors.
“We reiterate our position that in incidents involving minors, all state media must exercise the highest level of caution in how such tragedies are reported,” Gomez said.
He urged media organizations to avoid details that could compromise the dignity, safety and privacy of minors and their families, as well as those that could affect ongoing response and investigation efforts.
He added, “We will not impose restrictions on private media organizations; however, we respectfully appeal to them to exercise extreme care and responsibility in their coverage.”
The PCO Secretary also cautioned against reporting details that could potentially encourage copycat acts. “In particular, we ask for restraint in reporting that may compromise the dignity, safety, and privacy of minors, the bereaved families, and the ongoing response and investigation efforts, and to avoid details that may encourage copycat acts,” said the official.
Gomez also emphasized the importance of responsible reporting in sensitive cases involving minors, particularly in protecting vulnerable individuals and their families while authorities continue their response and investigation.
BUDGET
Meanwhile, Malacañang assured the public on Wednesday that sufficient budget has been allocated to strengthen school security under the 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP).
According to Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, Secretary Sonny Angara has already made a commitment to fund measures that ensure security at the country’s schools.
“Ayon sa DBM (Department of Budget and Management), the proposed fiscal year 2027, or the proposed budget provides funding that schools may use for security requirements as part of their regular operations,” Castro said. “So maaasahan na mayroong ilalaan na pondo para sa mas pinaigting na seguridad sa ating mga kabataan lalung-lalo na sa mga eskuwelahan.”
The Palace official noted that for public schools, the provisions for security services are generally lodged under their maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) and regular programs rather than presented as a single, separate budget item labeled school security.
The DepEd strengthened school safety protocols this year following the President’s directive, with the nationwide safety drills to ensure schools are prepared for emergencies also being conducted.
