Educational institutions urge safety in schools after Ateneo de Zamboanga shooting

Various educational institutions expressed their sympathies to those affected by the shooting in Zamboanga, emphasizing that schools must remain safe spaces.

The Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities (PACU) expressed solidarity with Ateneo de Zamboanga University after a school shooting left two students dead—with one of them being the shooter himself.

“PACU condemns violence in all its forms. Schools must remain safe and nurturing spaces where learners are protected, respected, and able to learn, grow, and flourish. Any act of violence within an educational community is a painful reminder of our collective responsibility to safeguard the well-being, dignity, and security of every learner and member of the school community,” the group said in a statement.

“The work of building safer schools requires sustained attention, cooperation, and care from educational institutions, families, government, and the wider community,” it added.

The group, composed of 197 member institutions across the country, said that the collective response should be guided by compassion, not fear.

The Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA) also expressed its sympathies to Ateneo de Zamboanga.

“Schools must remain safe spaces and sanctuaries of peace by intensifying safety measures and violence prevention strategies. We honor the lives affected by this tragedy by committing to stronger, safer, and more caring learning environments for all,” the COCOPEA said.

The COCOPEA called for stronger security measures, better character formation and discipline mechanisms, adequate counseling services, and better coordination in communities.

University of the East President Zosimo Battad also expressed his condolences.

“As educators, we are deeply concerned whenever violence reaches a place that is meant to be safe—a place where our young people should be learning, growing, and building their future,” Battad said.

“We all have a role in creating an environment where young people learn that their anxieties can be expressed without turning into violence, and that conflicts can be resolved without destroying another life,” he added. –NB, GMA News