Geline Salac

Zamboanga City declares Day of Mourning, suspends classes after school shooting

Article (news)

Jonathan Magistrado

ABS-CBN News

<p>Mayor Khymer Adan Olaso has declared Wednesday, August 19, 2026, as an official day of mourning and ordered the suspension of classes at all levels across public and private academic institutions in Zamboanga City following a <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/8/18/shooting-incident-reported-inside-zamboanga-city-school-0934">shooting incident </a>at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University Junior High School campus in Barangay Tumaga.</p><p>The incident occurred early Tuesday morning inside a classroom, resulting in the deaths of two students.</p><p>In a video message addressed to the residents of Zamboanga City, Mayor Olaso expressed profound grief over the incident and extended his condolences to the bereaved families, teachers, and classmates.</p><p>&quot;August 18 was a very, very sad and tragic day for Zamboanga City... The city government of Zamboanga City mourns with profound sadness the tragic loss [names redacted],&quot; Olaso said.</p><p>Mayor Olaso called on the public to exercise restraint, practice empathy, and refrain from spreading unverified rumors while law enforcement agencies conduct their investigation.</p><p>&quot;I appeal, and we appeal to everyone to remain calm and compassionate, refrain from spreading unverified information, and allow the proper authorities to conduct a thorough investigation of this matter,&quot; he urged. </p><p>&quot;The city government of Zamboanga City under my leadership will continue to work closely with law enforcement and concerned agencies to ensure that the safety and well-being of our students and our community remain our highest priority,&quot; he added.</p><p>To honor the memory of the victims, the city government suspended classes across all academic levels for Wednesday, designating the day for reflection and collective grieving.</p><p>&quot;We shall be observing this as a day of mourning. Let us use this day to grieve, pray, and reflect on our shared responsibility to protect our children and uphold the sanctity of life,&quot; Mayor Olaso announced.</p><p>Mayor Olaso also asked the community to refrain from politicizing the tragedy, stressing that the children involved are all victims of a devastating circumstance.</p><p>&quot;Wala nang may gusto nito. Nobody wants this to happen... As your city mayor, I am really praying and working hard for Zamboanga City to improve our peace and order security... I am asking all our community—Muslims and Christians—we must help one another. Let us unite for the betterment of our city, let us unite for the betterment of our country. And I am asking all leaders not to politicize this... Let us grieve for the loss of these two children,&quot; Olaso appealed.</p><p>Local law enforcement authorities, including the Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) and Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO), continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XrJkutopCus?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/j_mDK_UNbPs?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/magS3T-iGKU?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kAmfQCBLe-U?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Mayor Khymer Adan Olaso declared Wednesday, August 19, 2026, as an official day of mourning and ordered the suspension of classes at all levels across public and private academic institutions in Zamboanga City following a <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/8/18/shooting-incident-reported-inside-zamboanga-city-school-0934">shooting incident </a>at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University Junior High School.</p>

Mayor Khymer Adan Olaso declared Wednesday, August 19, 2026, as an official day of mourning and ordered the suspension of classes at all levels across public and private academic institutions in Zamboanga City following a shooting incident at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University Junior High School.