President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed condolences to the families of two students who died in a shooting incident at Ateneo de Zamboanga University on Tuesday morning.
Marcos also ordered a thorough investigation into the incident to determine what additional measures may be needed to prevent similar incidents from happening again.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the president also wants stronger measures to protect students and ensure the safety of schools.
Marcos said schools should be among the safest places in the country because families entrust their children to these institutions to learn and pursue their dreams for the future.
The president’s directive came alongside his expression of sympathy for the families of the two students who died in the shooting.
The Palace also called on schools and communities to work together to keep young people safe.
The shooting occurred at Ateneo de Zamboanga University in Zamboanga, where two students were reported to have died.
Details about the circumstances surrounding the shooting were not provided in the statement.
The president’s order calls for a thorough investigation of the incident, with the goal of identifying what further actions may be needed to prevent a similar event.
Castro said the administration also wants to strengthen measures aimed at protecting students and maintaining school safety.
Marcos emphasized the role of schools as places where families expect their children to be safe while receiving an education and preparing for their future.
The Palace’s appeal for cooperation among schools and communities comes as authorities move to examine the incident.
The government has not provided additional details in the statement about the identities of the two students, the circumstances of the shooting or whether anyone has been arrested in connection with the incident.
The investigation is expected to determine what happened and what additional measures may be necessary to improve student protection and school safety.
