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

Karen De Guzman

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/178719303531220260818-school-shooting-ateneo-zamboanga-QC.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 — The Philippine National Police said Thursday it was turning to digital evidence to determine what drove a Grade 8 student to open fire inside the <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/8/18/shooting-incident-reported-inside-zamboanga-city-school-0934">Ateneo de Zamboanga University </a>and whether the attack was deliberately broadcast online.</p><p>PNP Chief PGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said investigators recovered a cellphone and other personal effects from the minor. </p><p>“We will examine the cellphone and other digital evidence carefully and will not conclude until the investigation is completed,” Nartatez said in a statement. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/8/18/shooting-incident-reported-inside-zamboanga-city-school-0934">Two dead in Ateneo de Zamboanga shooting</a></div><p>Investigators are checking the device for the minor’s online activities before, during and after the shooting, including possible involvement in online games and other digital platforms.</p><p>The PNP is also looking into whether there had been previous incidents, threats or warning signs involving the student that could have alerted authorities before the attack.</p><p>Nartatez said investigators want to establish what was behind the decision of the minor to bring a firearm to school and shoot fellow students.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/19/pnp-orders-takedown-of-school-shooting-videos-probes-how-minor-got-2-guns-inside-school-1019">PNP orders takedown of school shooting videos, probes how minor got 2 guns inside school</a></div><p>“We would like to find out what’s in the mind of this child having a firearm, shooting at his fellow students, fellow minors, and why he did this,” he said. </p><p>Police also examining whether a livestream of the attack had been planned beforehand and whether other individuals helped distribute the footage.</p><div><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></div><p>The Zamboanga shooting followed a series of violent incidents in Philippine schools. </p><p>In June, three students were killed in a school attack in Tacloban City.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/8/19/pnp-records-50-school-related-incidents-involving-cicls-since-june-1600">PNP records 50 school-related incidents involving CICLs since June </a><br/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/19/nationwide-school-safety-drill-set-on-aug-25-1616">Nationwide school safety drill set on Aug. 25</a></div>

<p>The Philippine National Police said Thursday it was turning to digital evidence to determine what drove a Grade 8 student to open fire inside the Ateneo de Zamboanga University and whether the attack was deliberately broadcast online.</p>

The Philippine National Police said Thursday it was turning to digital evidence to determine what drove a Grade 8 student to open fire inside the Ateneo de Zamboanga University and whether the attack was deliberately broadcast online.

PNP probes digital trail behind Zamboanga school shooting

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PNP probes digital trail behind Zamboanga school shooting

Karen De Guzman,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 20, 2026 10:33 AM PHT

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