The Davao City government has tightened security across schools in the city following the deadly shooting at the Junior High School campus of Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU) on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.

In a statement, Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte directed the Security Cluster, through the Public Safety and Security Office (PSSO), to deploy additional security personnel in and around learning facilities across the city to ensure the safety and security of students.

The city government said the enhanced security measures will remain in place moving forward as the city continues to strengthen its culture of safety and security.

“In Davao City, we continue to implement security protocols in our educational institutions and work closely with DepEd and CHED to ensure the welfare of our learners,” the city government said.

For its part, the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) said police visibility in schools has been intensified.

DCPO Director, Col. Peter Madria, inspected personnel from the Mobile Patrol Unit at KM7, Bangkal near a major university, as well as Police Station 15-Ecoland, whose area of responsibility includes major schools.

Police personnel were reminded to respond swiftly, activate lockdown protocols when necessary, and coordinate with the security cluster to ensure safety.

Security groups in schools were also urged to enforce stricter protective protocols.

“Sa atoang conference with the school head before, ato gyud silang gi-encourage nga i-strengthen ang ilang security measure especially pagsulod sa mga bata, subject tanan sa inspection, pati mga bags, tan-awon, kung pwede naa’y walkthrough sa pagsulod sa gate unya i-limit ang ilang entry ug exit sa ilang eskwelahan para di mahitabo ang mga ingon ani,” DCPO Spokesperson, Major Teresita Gaspan, said.

Davao City Second District Rep. Omar Duterte described the incident in Zamboanga as being reflective of a failure in the security system.

The lawmaker questioned how a student was able to obtain firearms and bring them inside the campus despite security gates and personnel.

He called on the school administration, local leaders, law enforcement agencies, the Department of Education (DepEd), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the President to conduct a thorough investigation.

He said executive action and concrete policies are needed to improve and strengthen safety mechanisms in all schools.