Ateneo de Zamboanga supports students, families after incident

Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU) has stepped up support for students, families, and personnel affected by the shooting at its Junior High School Tumaga campus while continuing to coordinate with authorities investigating the incident.

In a statement, Fr. Guillrey Anthony “Ernald” M. Andal, S.J., said the university’s Psychological First Aid Team provided assistance to 102 students, 75 parents, and three faculty members following the incident.

Andal thanked the university’s guidance counselors, pastoral ministers, and other personnel, as well as the ADZU School of Medicine and partner government agencies, including the Department of Education, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health Health Emergency Management Staff, City Social Welfare and Development Office, Zamboanga Peninsula Center for Health Development, and volunteers from the Zamboanga City Rehab Center.

The university also met with officials from the Zamboanga City government, police, and national agencies, including DepEd, DSWD, the Senate, and the Office of the Vice President, to discuss the incident and possible assistance.

Andal said ADZU continues to cooperate with police investigators and has turned over relevant security footage to the Zamboanga City Police Office and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

Members of the school community have also been interviewed as authorities work to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

ADZU has likewise sought assistance from the CIDG and cybercrime authorities over false and misleading information circulating online, warning that such posts could further distress affected families.

“As of this time, we reiterate that there were two casualties and one wounded who is currently recovering,” Andal said.

He stressed that authorities have yet to determine the intent or motive behind the incident conclusively.

Andal urged the public to refrain from speculation and allow investigators to establish the facts. He also called for verified findings and authoritative information to be released at the appropriate time without compromising the investigation.

ADZU said it remains ready to provide further information and assistance to authorities as the investigation continues.

“As we grieve, our work of caring and accompanying continues,” Andal said, urging the community to continue praying for those who died, the wounded, and the healing of the school community.