The shooter used a body-worn camera to broadcast the attack live on social media.
A .357 Smith & Wesson Magnum revolver was recovered from the school bag of a 14-year-old student at Lut-od National High School in Pinamungajan, Cebu, after a teacher conducted a surprise bag inspection on Thursday. The unloaded firearm was secured by responding police after the school administration sought assistance.
PHOTOGRAPHS courtesy of Cebu PPO
The Catholic Church leadership has spoken out on the series of violent incidents on school campuses, some of which have been linked to students’ exposure to violent online games.
The concern appears to be spreading, as another potential tragedy was averted after a teacher found a gun inside a 14-year-old student’s school bag at Lut-od National High School in Barangay Lut-od, Pinamungajan, Cebu, on Thursday. Handed over to the police was a Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum revolver but no ammunition.
Schools across Zamboanga City are tightening campus security and prioritizing the safety of students and personnel following the recent incident at Ateneo de Zamboanga University (AdZU).
On 18 August, a shooting occurred on the AdZU Junior High School campus, resulting in the deaths of two students, including the shooter. The shooter used a body-worn camera to broadcast the attack live on social media.
Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula said the country cannot afford to let another violent school incident pass without confronting the challenges facing its youth.
Earlier, Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, head of the Philippine Roman Catholic flock, urged parents and grandparents to nurture their children with compassion, saying that families must strengthen their human connection.
Speaking during Mass at the Parish Church of the Holy Sacrifice at the University of the Philippines Diliman, he asked what could drive a child to commit such violence and called on families to reflect on how values are formed at home.
“For grandparents and parents, please show your children a heart that is humane,” Tagle said in his homily to mark the feast of St. John Eudes.
Advincula urged families, schools, churches, and communities to listen to young people who may be struggling silently with loneliness, anxiety, bullying, academic pressure, or family problems.
“We must not allow this tragedy to pass without listening deeply to what it tells us about the struggles of our young people,” Advincula said in a statement yesterday.
Safe youth spaces
The Church official’s call includes providing safe spaces where young people can speak without fear of judgment, seek help without shame, and know that they are valued.
The Zamboanga shooting followed a series of violent incidents in other schools, including a 22 June shooting in Tacloban City that killed three students.
The Archdiocese of Zamboanga expressed solidarity with the Jesuit community, the university, and those affected by the shooting.
“We join the entire AdZU community in profound grief over the loss of young lives and in deep concern for those who have been wounded, traumatized, and deeply affected by this tragedy,” the archdiocese said.
The archdiocese assured the school’s students, teachers, personnel, and families of its prayers and support, saying, “In this painful moment, may no one feel alone.”
Advincula said the response must go beyond security measures, calling for stronger systems of care and accompaniment.
“We need to listen to them, not only when they speak loudly, but especially when they suffer quietly,” he said.
The cardinal urged the public to make prayer a starting point for practical action.
“In this moment of grief, let us turn to prayer, but let our prayer also lead us to united action,” Advincula said.
“Together, let us strengthen a culture of care, compassion, dialogue, and accompaniment so that violence and hatred may never have the final word.”
School officials on alert
In the Cebu incident, the police said the minor took the firearm from a cabinet in their home and brought it to the school on 20 August.
Police said the student’s parents were working outside the municipality and the minor was in the care of his grandparents.
The minor was turned over to the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office while awaiting the arrival of his parents.
Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro earlier directed the police provincial director and the chiefs of police to heighten security in public and private schools.
During a coordination meeting, DepEd Region IX Regional Director Ronelo Al Firmo met with school heads in Zamboanga City and reiterated Education Secretary Sonny Angara’s urgent directive to tighten security protocols while placing equal emphasis on the mental health and psychosocial welfare of all learners and school staff.
On Thursday, Cabinet Secretary Benhur Abalos and Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla visited the Ateneo de Zamboanga University to reinforce inter-agency support measures.
Regional director Firmo highlighted the role of collaborative governance in engaging parents, local government units, law enforcement, and community partners to fortify protective measures within school grounds.
Proactive steps being implemented include early threat monitoring, sustained police visibility along school perimeters, stricter campus access controls, and the provision of metal detectors in schools.
This initiative aligns with the DepEd Guidelines on Ensuring a Safe and Motivating Learning Environment and existing institutional child protection policies.
Firmo also visited the Maria Clara L. Lobregat National High School after the school received online threats, ensuring immediate intervention to school officials, concerned learners, and their parents.
