Jamaine Punzalan

The facade of Ateneo de Zamboanga University, where two students, including the suspect, were killed and two others were injured during a shooting incident on August 18, 2026, according to local authorities.  Queenie Casimiro, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

SHOOL SHOOTING

Adrian Ayalin

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178720833482820260819-school-shooting-ateneo-zamboanga-QC1.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The facade of Ateneo de Zamboanga University, where two students, including the suspect, were killed and two others were injured during a shooting incident on August 18, 2026, according to local authorities.  Queenie Casimiro, ABS-CBN News </span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida cautioned the public against sharing videos related to the <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/8/18/shooting-incident-reported-inside-zamboanga-city-school-0934">Ateneo de Zamboanga shooting </a>incident, noting the possibility of copycat crimes.</p><p>While the Department of Justice is considering the legal liabilities of those who shared the videos, Vida also said that sharing content online could be considered as part of constitutionally guaranteed freedoms.</p><p>“Iyong re-sharers we are looking at that, kasi pag tiningnan natin, existing jurisprudence would tell us this is within the spectrum ng freedom or liberties of individuals, so I have serious reservations pa on possible criminal liability of those resharers,” Vida said.</p><p>“I want to seek help from the media also and the public. Let&#x27;s not repost, let’s restrain, the real power here is the power of restraint. If it’s a violent video tapos nakarating sa iyo, ang gagawin mo ishe-share mo pa, at ipa-pass,” Vida added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2026/8/19/school-shooting-psychiatrist-warns-of-copycat-risk-lists-possible-warning-signs-1155">School shooting: Psychiatrist warns of copycat risk, lists possible &#x27;warning signs&#x27; </a></div><p>Vida urged parents to<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/20/parents-urged-to-monitor-kids-gadget-use-after-school-violence-1243"> pay close attention to their children</a> who could be lured to commit illegal acts.</p><p>“Let’s engage kausapin natin sila kasi baka, sasabihin kasi, I have kids ano, laging sasabihin nila dad, it depends naman on the person, pero let’s guide them, please tutukan natin iyong mga bata,” Vida said. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/20/parents-urged-to-monitor-kids-gadget-use-after-school-violence-1243">&#x27;Adults give the cue&#x27;: Parents urged to monitor kids&#x27; gadget use after school violence incidents </a></div><p>Asked if what happened in Zamboanga could be considered a terrorist act, Vida agreed, noting the effect of the shooting incident.</p><p>“On the aspect of it being a terrorist act, definitely makikita naman, because the purpose of terrorism is to sow fear, di ba, in the general population, so pag nakita niyong that element of creating fear on the public it’s present,” Vida said.</p><p>Vida said authorities were pinning their investigation on the involvement of “mentors” who could be targeting minors who are into online games.</p><p>“Ito iyong ine-engage ang bata, pag nakita kasi na may flags na ganon iyong bata nagbabad sa ganong violent games, may mga nagta-target sa kanila and nire-recruit sila on certain group chats tapos iyon ang nagsisimula, so pero heavy na ang mga law enforcement agencies natin on this,” Vida said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/20/ateneo-de-zamboanga-provides-psychosocial-support-to-180-after-school-shooting-0024">Ateneo de Zamboanga provides psychosocial support to 180 individuals after school shooting </a><br/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/19/dilg-again-calls-for-stricter-gun-laws-in-wake-of-another-school-shooting-1246">DILG calls for stricter gun laws in wake of Ateneo de Zamboanga shooting </a><br/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/18/ateneo-mourns-after-school-shooting-leaves-2-students-dead-no-one-would-want-this-to-happen-1620">Ateneo mourns after school shooting leaves 2 students dead: ‘No one would want this to happen’ </a></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/UCcZGNh2Q78?&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/BVmEnKzzaj8?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida cautioned the public against sharing videos related to the Ateneo de Zamboanga shooting incident, noting the possibility of copycat crimes.</p>

Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida cautioned the public against sharing videos related to the Ateneo de Zamboanga shooting incident, noting the possibility of copycat crimes.

DOJ cautions against sharing videos of Zamboanga school shooting

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DOJ cautions against sharing videos of Zamboanga school shooting

Adrian Ayalin,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 20, 2026 02:49 PM PHT

Read More:

Zamboanga shooting

DOJ

copycat crimes

Ateneo shooting

Ateneo De Zamboanga University

Ateneo De Zamboanga

school shooting

school violence

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