The Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU) has declared August 19, 2026 as a day of mourning following the deadly shooting at the university’s Junior High School campus morning on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.

“Tomorrow, we are hoping as a community to come together in prayer and in mourning for what had happened,” ADZU President Fr. Guillrey Anthony “Ernald” Andal, SJ said.

Classes at all levels are suspended until Wednesday, August 19, to give the school community time to grieve and attend to the safety and wellbeing of students and personnel.

Speaking before the media, Andal said students were evacuated properly to a covered court far from the site of the shooting, with their teachers and school personnel looking after their safety.

“We recognized that this incident could cause deep concern and worry for our parents, for our families, for the guardians, for the students, their loved ones who they entrusted to us and we are deeply, deeply saddened by this incident,” Andal added.

Andal said that even prior to the incident, the university’s security team has been preparing for simulation exercises as part of its preparations to ensure the safety of students and personnel.

The university president also said that the school has guidance personnel on standby to provide immediate psychological first aid to those affected.

The university confirmed that two people died in the shooting. Investigation is ongoing, as of this writing, to determine the circumstances that surrounded the incident.

Acting Mayor Beng Climaco also assured the individuals affected and their families that the city government is ready to provide assistance.