Zamboanga City Mayor Khymer Olaso on Thursday, August 20, 2026, said the minor student involved in the fatal shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University (AdZU) was also a victim and called for government action to address mental stress among students.
Olaso said the 14-year-old student may have been taunted, which allegedly led him to carry out the shooting.
The mayor said the incident may have stemmed from teasing rather than bullying, stressing that the distinction would depend on the findings of the ongoing investigation.
“Hindi naman bullying ang nangyari. Iba naman ang bullying sa kantyaw. Kinantyawan ka lang na, ‘Oy ‘bat mataas siya sayo? Mababa ka.’ So pwedeng mangyari, magiging disappointed ka. In my own understanding, yung bullying, talagang binu-bully ka, binabatukan ka, sinasaktan ka, that is bully, di ba. Yung kinakatyawan, normal yan sa school eh. Sa tingin ko, may pangangantyaw to. Hindi pa man natin alam ang full investigation because it depends upon the report on the investigation,” Olaso said.
Olaso said the government should take steps in addressing mental stress, including providing proper training to promote discipline among students.
The city’s local chief executive also advised parents or guardians to check the contents of their children’s bags before sending them to school.
“Kindly do a close monitoring of your children. Kasi kailangan yan, even the guardians. Bantayan kung ano, baka mamaya, yung mga baril ninyo, i-check sa bahay, kung kompleto ba yan or na sa locker ba yan kasi mahirap na po baka may madisgrasya muli,” Olaso said.
As for the firearms used by the shooter, these reportedly did not undergo campus security inspection.
Based on investigation, the school has a security inspection at the pedestrian gate for those entering on foot.
The shooter was reportedly dropped off by his father, who works at the Bureau of Customs (BOC). Since they arrived in a vehicle, the student did not undergo the security inspection.
The firearms were reportedly placed inside the vehicle by the father and the student pulled the guns out when he got off the car at the basement of the school building.
According to Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla, one of the firearms used in the shooting was issued by BOC while the other was the father’s personal property.
The shooter’s father has been suspended for 90 days and may face dismissal from service. He reportedly broke down in tears and apologized when he spoke with BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has started providing psychological first aid to those affected.
DSWD mental health professionals led the conduct of psychological intervention for students, creating a safe space for them to process their emotions and guiding them in developing effective coping mechanisms to overcome the impact of the tragedy.
The agency is also prepared to provide aftercare services and additional interventions such as enhanced trauma-informed care, medical assistance, and parent effectiveness sessions to support students, parents, and the entire school community as they gradually regain their sense of safety and security.
