Ateneo de Zamboanga shooter was at the top of his class, says Deped's Angara

The 14-year old shooter in the Ateneo de Zamboanga University had been at the top of his class and did not seem to have problems, according to Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara.

In a 24 Oras report from John Consulta on Wednesday, mourners continued to visit and light candles at the scene of the fatal shooting that resulted in the deaths of two students on Tuesday.

“Mataas ang standing niya, number one siya. Parang valedictorian siya. Tinatanong namin ang kanyang mga teacher, parang ‘di naman siya problemado. Although nagbibiro siya minsan na galit siya sa kanyang kasama. Akala ng mga kaanak biro-biro lang,” Angara told reporters.

(He had a high standing, number one. He was valedictorian supposedly. We asked his teachers, he did not seem problematic. Although he would joke that he was mad at his schoolmates. His family thought he was just joking.)

The shooter opened fire on classmates and teachers, firing five rounds—the last one for himself.

A resident said he saw terrified children running away, with one being in such a rush that the child ran without shoes. One of the students thought that the shooting was part of a drill.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development said that they are conducting post-trauma informed care to affected students.

“Maaaring physically walang galos, walang injury, pero yung dala-dala nilang trauma dapat nating subaybayan. Lahat ng mga kabataang nag-aaral sa Ateneo, pati yung pamilya, pati yung mga guro, nakikisimpatiya kami kasi lahat sila biktima,” Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said.

(It may be that physically, there is no wound or injury, but the trauma they carry should be monitored. Every child that is studying in Ateneo, even the families, even the teacher, we sympathize with them because they are all victims.) —Jean Mangaluz/RF, GMA News