Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

Queenie Casimiro

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Public and private schools, universities, and colleges in Zamboanga City intensified their security protocols almost a week after a campus shooting incident killed two students and wounded another.Long queues of students were seen outside public schools with high student populations.Students of Zamboanga City High School West were made to form two long lines as they queued to enter the school gate early Monday morning.As they prepared for the flag-raising ceremony, the school management advised students to arrive early due to the implementation of new security protocols requiring thorough bag inspections.The school administration also reminded students not to bring pointed objects, warning that these would be confiscated at the gate. As part of the new security measures, drop-offs inside campuses were prohibited, causing traffic congestion along main thoroughfares.Don Pablo Lorenzo Memorial High School principal James Amamangpang said the new policy ensures that everyone passes through security checks at the gate. “Hindi na gaya ng dati na inaa-allow silang i-drop ang estudyante sa loob. Ngayon, mas may control kami sa pag-check sa lahat,” he said. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/8/20/dilg-zamboanga-school-shooter-exploited-gap-to-carry-out-attack-1329">DILG: Zamboanga school shooter exploited &#x27;gap&#x27; to carry out attack </a></div>During inspections, school guards confiscated screwdrivers, soldering irons, pliers, and a cutter from some students&#x27; bags. The students claimed these were for their school projects.Guards also seized a toy gun from another student, who claimed it belonged to his younger brother.However, at Zamboanga Peninsula Polytechnic State University (ZPPSU), a third-year college student was found carrying a kitchen knife in his bag.ZPPSU vice president for student affairs and services Cyrus Pil Cadavedo said that upon questioning, the student explained he uses the knife as a multipurpose tool for his technology classes. “&#x27;Yung knife ginagamit niya bilang tool. He really had no intention of harming anyone. We also checked his record, wala naman siyang derogatory records,” he said. <div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cna2MREzcEc?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe>Cadavedo said the school was deliberating its budget for the procurement of a walk-through scanner, a baggage X-ray machine, additional metal detectors, and surveillance cameras to ensure the safety of students and personnel. </div>They will also hire 10 additional security guards to augment the 24 existing guards. The university already has a security plan and is drafting a crisis management plan.The stricter security measures implemented by academic institutions were prompted not only by last week&#x27;s shooting incident at Ateneo de Zamboanga, but also by the proliferation of threats posted online by some students and dummy accounts.Police, local government units, and school administrators agreed during a recent conference that law enforcement must be informed immediately if schools monitor alarming posts from their students.However, discretion remains with individual schools on whether to suspend classes in response to these threats.Meanwhile, the Department of Education (DepEd) heeded the call of the Philippine Psychiatric Association and the Philippine Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry to defer the nationwide active-shooter drill initially scheduled on August 25, Tuesday. Experts argued that conducting the simulation exercise at this time would cause more harm than good.<div>AdZU SHOOTING PROBE  </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1787625437485Ateneo 1.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Courtesy: Ateneo de Zamboanga University </div>In another development, members of the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) were sighted at the Hall of Justice on Monday afternoon. Sources said their presence at the Department of Justice (DOJ) was for filing cases related to the Ateneo de Zamboanga University shooting incident. Investigators, however, remained tight-lipped regarding the specific charges to be filed and the identities of those who will be charged for the tragedy.In a video message posted on Ateneo de Zamboanga University’s official social media page on Monday night, Fr. Ernald Andal, S.J., said they had hoped to receive the official findings of the investigation by Monday, but were still waiting for word from the SITG as of press time.Fr. Andal said the school continues to provide psychological support to students, their families, and school staff. He also urged media organizations to exercise prudence when sharing images, recordings, and information related to the incident. “Inaccurate information and unnecessary circulation of materials, including AI-generated content involving minors, can cause further harm to families already carrying great pain,” he said. On Monday, the university organized a candle-lighting and prayer activity at its Salvador Campus downtown.<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> <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">PNP, DepEd to refine school safety drills; DILG seeks tougher gun law </a> <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/24/student-safety-requires-more-than-tighter-security-house-members-say-1855">Student safety requires more than tighter security, House members say </a></div>

Public and private schools, universities, and colleges in Zamboanga City intensified their security protocols almost a week after a campus shooting incident killed two students and wounded another.

Public and private schools, universities, and colleges in Zamboanga City intensified their security protocols almost a week after a campus shooting incident killed two students and wounded another.

Bag checks, walk-through scanner, more guards: Zamboanga schools tighten security

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Bag checks, walk-through scanner, more guards: Zamboanga schools tighten security

Queenie Casimiro,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 25, 2026 10:42 AM PHT

Read More:

Ateneo de Zamboanga University

active shooter

bullying

depression

Roblox

groomer

security

online threats

pranks

heightened security

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