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The bag, the bullets, and the wake-up call: The moments before Ateneo de Zamboanga school shooting
Newly obtained CCTV footage has shed light on the chilling moments before the deadly school shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University, while city officials race to strengthen school safety measures to prevent another tragedy.
Exclusive footage obtained by GMA News shows the Grade 8 student arriving at the campus on August 18, carrying a backpack and a long black bag.
Instead of heading toward the main entrance of the Junior High School building, the student veers to the right and walks down an emergency exit ramp intended for persons with disabilities.
Investigators are looking into the possibility that the firearm used in the attack was concealed inside the long black bag after it was allegedly taken from the vehicle of the student's father, who had dropped the student off at school.
Minutes after the footage was recorded, gunfire erupted on the fourth floor of the campus, leaving two students dead and sending shockwaves across the country.
Schools rehearse for the unthinkable
Days after the tragedy, the Zamboanga City government conducted an active shooter simulation at Tumaga Elementary School to train students, teachers, and responders on what to do during a school shooting.
The drill unfolded like a real emergency.
Classes were suddenly interrupted. Students immediately dropped to the floor. Classroom doors were locked, lights were switched off, and children moved quietly against the walls to stay out of a shooter's line of sight.
Outside the school gate, two mock gunmen entered the campus after a security guard was simulated to have been shot. Police and SWAT units rushed in, cornered the armed suspects, and evacuated students to a safer covered court while medics attended to the "injured" guard.
School principal Julieta Besas said the exercise was an important learning experience for everyone inside the campus.
"This is important for the students, teachers, and parents so they know exactly what to do in an emergency. It is also a great help to me as the principal.
Mayor Khymer Olaso said the simulation also exposed gaps in the city's preparedness.
One major concern: classrooms do not have individual alarm systems.
"We saw some lapses that need improvement. Every classroom should have its own alarm. Right now, the fire alarm is only in the main area. These are among the things we're going to improve."
The local government is also planning to install steel doors in classrooms to make them harder to open from the outside during emergencies.
Drawing from his 18 years as a ship captain, Olaso proposed creating "citadel" spaces inside schools—secure rooms similar to those used by ship crews when pirates attack vessels.
The mayor stressed that security measures alone will not stop future violence.
He urged parents to closely monitor their children's behavior, maintain open communication, and ensure firearms at home are securely locked away.
"Keep monitoring your children because you never know what could happen. If you own a firearm, make sure it is locked inside a secure locker. Talk to your children. Ask them if they have problems in school. Tell them not to be afraid because someone is willing to listen."
Call for action on harmful online content
The Zamboanga City government is also appealing to the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to help curb harmful online content that could negatively influence children.
Mayor Olaso said digital content entering the country should be carefully reviewed, especially if it poses risks to students.
"If we see that certain online content is harmful and could endanger students, we should act on it."
As investigators continue piecing together what led to the Ateneo de Zamboanga shooting, the tragedy has become a painful reminder that school safety extends beyond campus gates—reaching homes, classrooms, and even the digital spaces where children spend much of their time. — BM, GMA News
