The Philippine National Police (PNP) filed criminal charges Wednesday against the father of the 14-year-old student involved in the fatal August 18 shooting incident at Ateneo de Zamboanga University, as well as the school security personnel.
Both individuals face charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and physical injury following a police investigation that revealed gaps in firearm safekeeping and school entry screening, which allowed unauthorized access to the weapon and its entry into the building. The firearm used belonged to the student’s father, an official at the Bureau of Customs in Zamboanga City.
The shooting occurred on the fourth floor of a campus building, leaving a 15-year-old Grade 10 student dead and another 15-year-old Grade 10 student injured. The shooter subsequently fled to the fifth floor, where he died by suicide.
Investigators found no evidence of a conspiracy, or any established personal or school-related grievance. However, police noted prior preparation and exposure to violent online content surrounding the event.
PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. stated that the investigation was conducted fairly and based strictly on evidence, urging gun owners to secure their firearms properly and calling on schools to review security access controls.