Marilyn Cahatol

Police gather at Ateneo de Zamboanga University following a shooting at the school in Zamboanga on August 18, 2026. A student livestreamed himself shooting another schoolmate dead before taking his own life at a high school in the Philippines on August 18, authorities said. Gabriel Vince Pallalos,  AFP

Article (news)

Karen De Guzman

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178771981191120260818-school-shooting-ateneo-zamboanga-AFP-2.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Police gather at Ateneo de Zamboanga University following a shooting at the school in Zamboanga on August 18, 2026. A student livestreamed himself shooting another schoolmate dead before taking his own life at a high school in the Philippines on August 18, authorities said. Gabriel Vince Pallalos, AFP </div>MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has completed its investigation into the shooting at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University in Zamboanga City, but the report still needs to undergo final review before it is made public.PNP Public Information Office chief Col. Allen Rae Co said the report has been submitted to PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. for final verification and approval.“As I understand ay sina-submit na kay chief PNP at upon final verification of the details ay ire-release na po ito at maglalabas ng report ang ating Police Regional Office 9,” Co said.“Natapos na po ‘yung investigation na ginawa,” he added.According to Co, authorities are now checking the completeness of the report and verifying details that may still need confirmation.Co added that Nartatez also directed police to provide copies of the report to all concerned institutions, including Ateneo de Zamboanga University.The investigation was launched following the <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/8/18/shooting-incident-reported-inside-zamboanga-city-school-0934">August 18 shooting </a>at the university&#x27;s Junior High School campus that left two students dead, including the Grade 8 student who carried out the attack.Another student was injured but was later reported to be in stable condition.Authorities earlier said the student brought two firearms into the campus.The Bureau of Customs confirmed that one of the firearms was a bureau-issued Glock 22 .40-caliber pistol <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/18/gun-issued-to-customs-officer-used-in-ateneo-de-zamboanga-shooting-1606">belonging to the student&#x27;s father</a>, a Customs police officer.The other firearm was reportedly the father&#x27;s personal, licensed gun.The father was relieved from his post and placed under preventive suspension pending investigation.The PNP also <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/8/20/pnp-probes-digital-trail-behind-zamboanga-school-shooting-1033">conducted digital forensic examination </a>and recovered the student&#x27;s cellphone and other personal effects as part of efforts to determine what led to the attack.Police had also sought the removal of photos and videos of the incident circulating online, particularly because minors were involved.DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla earlier said initial findings indicated that the student acted alone, with authorities finding no conspiracy behind the attack.He also said there was no indication that bullying, religion or mistreatment by a teacher was behind the incident.<div> </div><div>ASSISTING DEPED</div>Meanwhile, the PNP said it remains <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/25/pnp-deped-to-refine-school-safety-drills-dilg-seeks-tougher-gun-law-1015">ready to assist the Department of Education (DepEd)</a> in strengthening school safety measures, including the planned active-attack safety drill.Co said the PNP is willing to participate in consultations and studies that DepEd may undertake to improve the drills.“We coordinate with the DepEd. We just assist, provide support to the DepEd but the PNP is very much willing to participate in any consultation, or any study that will be conducted.”The PNP, he said, can provide technical expertise on what students, teachers and other school personnel should do in the event of an active-shooter situation.“Kung ano ang magiging decision ng DepEd, it&#x27;s up to them kung itutuloy po ito,” Co said.DepEd had <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/24/deped-postpones-nationwide-live-shooter-drills-0917">postponed </a>its nationwide active-attack safety drill originally scheduled for August 25.The revised exercises are expected to be age-appropriate and trauma-informed, avoiding graphic or hyper-realistic simulations.The postponement came after some groups called for the deferral of live-shooter simulations, citing concerns over their possible psychological impact on students.Despite the postponement, the PNP said it remains prepared to work with DepEd in developing safety exercises that would improve the ability of schools to respond to threats while prioritizing the welfare of learners.The Ateneo shooting was the second deadly school shooting involving minors in the Philippines in a span of about two months.It followed the June 22 shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, where three students were killed and several others were injured.<div> </div><div>RELATED VIDEO:</div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="960" height="540" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BVmEnKzzaj8?si=YTC-BjVuaTJY22FQ" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" spellcheck="false"></iframe></div>

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has completed its investigation into the shooting at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University in Zamboanga City, but the report still needs to undergo final review before it is made public.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has completed its investigation into the shooting at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University in Zamboanga City, but the report still needs to undergo final review before it is made public.

PNP completes probe into Ateneo de Zamboanga shooting

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PNP completes probe into Ateneo de Zamboanga shooting

Karen De Guzman,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 26, 2026 01:06 PM PHT

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Updated August 26, 2026 06:38 PM PHT

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