ZAMBOANGA CITY — Parents and students in Zamboanga City are being urged not to panic after Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla assured the public that schools in the city remain safe, even as authorities intensify security measures following the deadly shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University.
During his August 20 visit to the school, Remulla said the institution had followed established security procedures and that authorities had found no major security lapse on the school’s part.
“Ateneo did everything right. They did everything correctly,” Remulla said, citing the school’s bag inspections and the presence of police officers outside the campus.
But behind the government’s reassurance is a significant push to rethink how schools across the country protect students.
The security gap authorities are now examining
The August 18 shooting exposed a vulnerability that authorities say was linked to access through an emergency exit.
Remulla said the incident has prompted a review of school security arrangements, particularly physical facilities, entry points and other potential gaps that could be exploited despite existing security measures.
SunStar reported that Remulla had earlier called on Ateneo de Zamboanga to review its inspection and frisking procedures. According to the investigation cited by the DILG chief, the school had 25 security guards, with 15 on duty when the shooting occurred. Police vehicles were also stationed outside the campus at the time.
Remulla said the school currently faces no liability based on the information available, but stressed that its security protocols should be reviewed and reformatted.
Government wants stronger security inside schools
The response is no longer limited to the Ateneo campus.
Remulla said the DILG and Department of Education are preparing a memorandum that would allow barangay tanods to establish posts and conduct patrols inside public schools.
The proposed measure is intended to supplement existing guards and police visibility, while also giving community officials a more active role in identifying and responding to potential problems involving students.
Authorities are also increasing police visibility during student arrival and dismissal and strengthening coordination between police and school administrators.
The Ateneo shooting reignites a national school-safety debate
The Zamboanga incident has triggered a broader national discussion about school violence, firearms and social media.
Reuters reported that the August 18 attack left two students dead, including the shooter, while two others were wounded. Investigators are examining the motive, the student’s electronic devices and how he gained access to firearms.
The shooting was also livestreamed, adding another dimension to the investigation and prompting renewed calls for stronger safeguards for minors online. Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian has advocated legislation that would restrict social-media access for children under 16.
Remulla, meanwhile, has called for tougher accountability for firearm owners whose weapons are accessed by minors and for a review of laws concerning loose firearms.
Security alone may not be enough
Education Secretary Sonny Angara has also cautioned against viewing school safety solely through the lens of guards, fences, CCTV cameras and metal detectors.
Reuters reported that Angara emphasized the importance of school communities reaching out to students and recognizing possible warning signs before violence occurs.
That broader approach could become increasingly important as authorities examine two deadly school shootings in the Philippines within a matter of weeks.
The Zamboanga attack followed the June shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, where three students were killed. SunStar reported that bullying was identified as one of the motives investigated in that earlier case.
Remulla: Zamboanga must return to normal
Despite the heightened security measures, Remulla said authorities do not want fear to define the city.
He assured residents that Zamboanga remains safe and urged the public to rely on verified information rather than speculation while the investigation continues.
The DILG chief also stressed that the incident should not be interpreted as a religious or cultural conflict, describing Zamboanga as a peaceful and diverse city.
For parents, however, the message carries two realities: officials say schools remain safe, but the security system is still being examined for vulnerabilities.
That review could ultimately reshape how schools across the Philippines handle campus access, police presence, community patrols, firearms security and student welfare.
What happens next?
The immediate focus remains on restoring confidence among students, teachers and parents while investigators continue examining the circumstances surrounding the Ateneo de Zamboanga shooting.
At the same time, the proposed DILG-DepEd security measures could signal a much wider shift in Philippine school security — moving from simply guarding school gates to creating a more comprehensive system involving police, barangay officials, educators, families and students.
For now, Remulla’s message is clear: Zamboanga’s schools remain open and authorities want parents to feel safe sending their children back to class. But the questions raised by the shooting may force schools nationwide to rethink what “safe” really means.
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