A tragic incident unfolded on Tuesday at a high school campus in southern Philippines when a student armed with two pistols fatally shot another student before taking his own life. The incident was livestreamed using a body-worn camera, marking the second deadly school shooting in the country within two months.
The shooting took place at the Ateneo de Zamboanga university campus in Zamboanga City, leading to the evacuation of hundreds of students. Two individuals sustained injuries during the attack, according to police and city officials.
The perpetrator, identified as Grade 9 student Mohammad Mael Jalani, first fired at a teacher but missed. He then proceeded to shoot a student on the fourth floor before eventually ending his own life on the fifth floor, as reported by the police.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla informed the press that the shooter entered the building and began firing indiscriminately, injuring a Grade 10 student before committing suicide. The entire incident was broadcasted on Facebook Live, providing only fragments of the events. Authorities plan to investigate the suspect’s gaming and chat history to understand the motive behind the attack thoroughly.
Zamboanga City Mayor Khymer Adan Olaso confirmed that the suspect fatally shot himself after the rampage. The high school building where the shooting occurred is situated within a secure campus, distinct from the main campus of the Catholic university. Following the incident, Ateneo suspended classes at all levels for Tuesday and Wednesday.
Eyewitness Joe Darryl Jaron, who had just dropped off his child at the school, captured the chaotic scene on video as students panicked and sought safety amid the gunshots. Police later declared the situation under control and advised parents and guardians to cooperate with the school’s instructions for picking up their children.
National police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. assured the public that investigations into the incident were ongoing. He urged the public to refrain from spreading unconfirmed reports that could cause unnecessary distress.
Authorities disclosed that one of the pistols used by the suspect belonged to his father, a police commander at the Bureau of Customs in Zamboanga. The father may face administrative charges for failing to secure the government-issued firearm properly.
While firearm-related crimes are prevalent in the Philippines, school shootings are uncommon. The recent incident occurred despite police promises to enhance school security after a shooting in June that claimed the lives of three high school students in Tacloban City. Two students aged 14 and 15 were arrested for that incident, where multiple others were injured.
Overall, the shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga has raised concerns about school safety and the need for stricter firearm regulations to prevent such tragedies in the future.
