The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has relieved a port police official who owns the firearm allegedly used by the student involved in the shooting at the Junior High School campus of Ateneo de Zamboanga Univeristy (ADZU).

The shooter killed on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.

In a statement, BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said the Customs official, identified as the father of the shooter, has been relieved from his post and suspended preventively from service.

Nepomuceno also directed the deputy commissioners concerned, in coordination with the appropriate field offices, to conduct a full investigation and gather all relevant documents, records, statements, and other evidence related to the incident.

BOC also instructed all personnel concerned to cooperate fully with the investigation opened by authorities.

The BOC chief also ordered a comprehensive accounting and inventory of all firearms issued to agency personnel, as well as a review of compliance with all BOC policies and issuances on gun safety, firearm custody, transport, carrying, storage, and safekeeping.

All units concerned are required to submit compliance reports within 24 hours.

“The Bureau of Customs remains committed to accountability, transparency, and ensuring that all necessary measures are undertaken to prevent incidents of this nature from happening again,” BOC said.

BOC extended its sympathies to the families and loved ones of the victims of the deadly shooting.

“We stand in solidarity with the Ateneo de Zamboanga community and all those affected by this heartbreaking incident,” BOC said.