Metro Manila, Philippines – The suspect who opened fire inside Ateneo de Zamboanga University breezed through security checks, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said in a press briefing on Wednesday, Aug. 19.
Remulla said people passing through the school pedestrian gate have their bags inspected, but the Grade 9 student bypassed this when his father dropped him off by car inside the campus basement.
“Dito kasi pinapasok yung kotse diretso papunta sa eskwelahan at walang sitahan,” he said.
[Translation: The car was allowed to enter directly into the school, and there was no inspection]
The university has 25 security guards, including 15 on morning duty when the shooting happened, Remulla said.
The Philippine National Police said the suspect killed a Grade 10 student and took his own life – all in around two minutes.
A 15-year-old female suffered a gunshot wound on her back and is in stable condition, while a 16-year-old male fainted during the commotion.
PNP chief PGen Jose Melencio Nartatez said investigators recovered two pistols supposedly used in the shooting — a 9mm and a caliber .40 — along with ammunition and other evidence, including the suspect’s cellphone.
Nartatez said investigators recovered seven live rounds — two for the 9mm and five for the caliber .40. Fired cartridges indicated a minimum of seven shots – four from the 9mm and three from the caliber .40.
Remulla and Nartatez said there was no third high-powered firearm.
READ: How did the Zamboanga school shooter get firearms according to the DILG?
Remulla said neither the security guards nor teachers were at fault, but added that the school needs to review and reformat security measures.
“Ang kailangan na lang, palitan na yung protocol kasi yung protocol nila, lahat ng private schools, pag kotse yung dumadaan ‘di na tinitignan,” Remulla said.
[Translation: What needs to be done now is to change the protocol because under their current protocol, vehicles are not checked.]
The DILG is also working with the Department of Education on a memorandum circular to strengthen security within school premises, including allowing barangay or village security to set up stations inside schools.
Remulla said barangay security are familiar with children in their communities.
He also said the school’s active-shooter drill helped guide the response to the incident.
