DepEd Zamboanga City officials and school representatives hold a consultation meeting on August 20 to strengthen campus safety and preparedness measures. (Facebook/DepEd Tayo Zamboanga City)
Philippine authorities are strengthening school security and firearm accountability following a deadly shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University (AdZU) on August 18, alongside other recent incidents involving firearms issued to government personnel.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed sympathy to the families of those killed and the wider AdZU community, saying schools should be among the safest places in the country. He directed law enforcement agencies to conduct a thorough investigation and work with schools and communities to strengthen safeguards for students.
The Department of Education (DepEd) said it is coordinating with mental health partners to provide psychological first aid and psychosocial support to affected learners, families and school personnel. School communities in Zamboanga City have also agreed to strengthen prevention, preparedness and child-protection measures while maintaining support for the mental well-being of students and staff.
Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) urged the public not to spread unverified information or circulate sensitive photographs and videos related to the incident, particularly as minors were involved.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is separately tightening accountability for government-issued firearms. PNP Chief General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. instructed commanders nationwide to remind personnel about the proper storage and handling of firearms, particularly while off duty and at home.
Chief General Nartatez said firearms must not be left where children or unauthorised persons can access them. Commanders were also instructed to include firearm-accountability reminders in regular briefings and formations. The measures follow recent school shooting incidents involving government-issued firearms, including those at AdZU and San Jose National High School in Tacloban City.
The PNP will provide personnel and resources for nationwide school safety drills scheduled by DepEd on August 25. The exercises will help students, teachers and school personnel understand how to respond to security threats while allowing police, schools, barangay officials and local governments to test and improve coordination.
The Philippines’ response comes amid a wider regional debate on school security following a recent school shooting in Thailand. Both incidents highlight the need for stronger firearm accountability, early threat detection and coordinated emergency preparedness.
Against this backdrop, the challenge is to develop school-security systems that combine policing with education, mental-health support and community coordination, ensuring that prevention and resilience remain central rather than relying primarily on security measures after an incident.
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