Negros Oriental tightens school security after Zamboanga shooting

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Negros Oriental Gov. Manuel “Chaco” Sagarbarria has ordered a province-wide review and strengthening of security measures in and around schools following a shooting at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University campus in Zamboanga City on Tuesday that left two students dead, including the alleged gunman.

Sagarbarria directed concerned provincial government offices to coordinate with the Philippine National Police, Department of Education, local government units and school administrators to assess school access and security protocols.

He also ordered a review of emergency preparedness and response procedures.

“Schools must always remain places of learning, hope, growth, and safety,” the governor said, stressing that no student, teacher, parent, or school employee should have to fear for their lives inside an educational institution.

Sagarbarria strongly condemned the incident and expressed sympathy to the victims, their families and the entire Ateneo de Zamboanga University community.

“Our hearts go out to the victims, their families and loved ones, and the entire Ateneo de Zamboanga University community during this deeply painful and disturbing time,” Sagarbarria said in a statement shared on social media.

He also expressed solidarity with the people of Zamboanga City, saying Negros Oriental shares in their grief and trauma following the violence.

Authorities said the attack involved a Grade 9 student who shot and killed a fellow student before dying by suicide, while other people were also injured during the incident.

Sagarbarria said school security must go beyond gates and security personnel, urging authorities to identify vulnerabilities before they result in tragedy.

“We must identify vulnerabilities before they become tragedies,” he said, while calling for stronger communication among schools, families, communities, and authorities to ensure that warning signs and potential threats are promptly and responsibly reported.

Sagarbarria also urged Negrenses to remain vigilant but calm and to avoid spreading unverified information that could cause unnecessary fear.

“Let us instead work together to ensure that our children, educators, and school communities are protected,” he said.

He assured the public that the provincial government will take proactive measures to heighten security across Negros Oriental, particularly in schools, emphasizing that the safety of children and communities remains a paramount responsibility.

He also stressed the importance of stronger coordination with law enforcement and local authorities and increased security visibility.

The Zamboanga shooting came less than two months after the June 22 shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, where three students were killed and 20 others were injured.

Two teenage students were identified as suspects in the Tacloban attack, which also prompted national scrutiny of school security and how firearms reached minors.

Meanwhile, Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said he was surprised to learn about the Zamboanga incident during a Tuesday press briefing at the Provincial Capitol here.

“It’s really a very very sad news,” Lacson said.

He added that it was not the first time such an incident had happened, amid the recent series of school-related violence in the country.

Lacson declined to further comment on the incident because he had little information about it, but he said school authorities should strengthen security.