By el Amigo
MANILA — The Ateneo de Zamboanga University (AdZU) confirmed that two people died following a shooting incident at its Junior High School campus on Tuesday, Aug. 18.
In a statement, the university said it was deeply saddened by the incident and emphasized that the safety and welfare of its students remain its foremost concern.
The school said parents and guardians were promptly notified and asked to fetch their children, while students who remained inside the campus were placed under the protection of school personnel.
AdZU said it is working closely with authorities as an investigation into the incident continues. It also urged the public to rely only on official channels for verified information and to respect the privacy of those affected.
“We ask everyone to respect the privacy of all affected individuals,” the university said, while expressing hope for the immediate resolution of the incident and the safety of everyone involved.
The Zamboanga City government likewise expressed grief over the shooting and said it was coordinating with school officials, the Zamboanga City Police Office and other government agencies.
Authorities said the situation has been brought under control and that security measures are being implemented to protect students, teachers and other members of the school community.
City officials also appealed to the public to stay calm and refrain from sharing unverified reports, photos and videos that could cause further concern or disrupt the police investigation.
“Our thoughts are with everyone affected,” the city government said, calling on residents to remain calm, united and vigilant as authorities work to ensure the safety of schools and communities.
elamigo/xf
