English
A Philippines school shooting left two students dead Tuesday at a high school campus in Zamboanga. A student opened fire with two pistols before taking his own life. Police said the teenager also livestreamed parts of the attack using a body-worn camera. The shooting marks the country’s second fatal school attack within two months.
Gunfire sends hundreds of students fleeing
The shooting happened at the Ateneo de Zamboanga university campus in the southern port city. Hundreds of students fled the high school building after gunfire erupted. Police and city officials said another person suffered injuries during the attack. Authorities evacuated students from the building while security teams secured the campus.
The high school operates on a separate secured site from the university’s larger campus. The main campus houses Ateneo’s colleges and professional schools. University officials suspended classes at all levels on Tuesday and Wednesday. The decision followed the deadly attack and the emergency evacuation.
“ PhoenixQ; your trusted source for breaking news and reliable updates.”
Police identify the teenage suspect
Police identified the suspect as Mohammad Mael Jalani, a Grade 9 student. Authorities said he carried two pistols when he entered the school building. According to an initial police report, Jalani first fired toward a teacher. The teacher sat in front of a classroom, but the shot apparently missed.
The suspect then moved to the fourth floor. There, he shot a Grade 10 student, killing the teenager.
Jalani then went to the fifth floor, according to police. He later died after shooting himself, authorities said. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed the sequence during a news briefing. Zamboanga Mayor Khymer Adan Olaso and local police also confirmed the suspect’s death.
Attack appeared on Facebook Live
Officials said the teenager livestreamed part of the attack on Facebook. Remulla said the footage appeared only in short segments. Authorities now plan to examine the suspect’s online activity. Investigators will review his gaming history and private chat records.
Remulla said officials need a complete forensic examination before reaching conclusions about the motive. Investigators have not yet established why the student carried out the attack. The online footage could provide investigators with additional evidence. However, authorities must also examine the suspect’s digital communications and activities before drawing conclusions.
Second deadly school shooting in two months
The Philippines school shooting adds to growing concern over deadly violence in educational settings. Authorities described Tuesday’s attack as a major security incident in Zamboanga.
The shooting also raises questions about how the student obtained two pistols. Police have not yet released details about the weapons or their ownership. Investigators will likely examine the suspect’s background and access to firearms. They will also seek to determine whether anyone else knew about his plans. The presence of weapons inside a secured school campus could also prompt renewed security reviews. Officials may examine entry procedures and safeguards at other schools.
Ateneo campus remains under scrutiny
Ateneo de Zamboanga is one of the largest and most prominent universities in southern Philippines. The institution operates in the predominantly Catholic city of Zamboanga. The university’s high school section sits within a secured campus. Officials responded quickly after the shooting by evacuating students and suspending classes.
The campus will likely remain under heightened scrutiny as investigators continue their work. Authorities must establish how the suspect entered the building with two pistols. Meanwhile, families face the difficult aftermath of the attack. Students and staff also face the emotional impact of witnessing or experiencing the violence.
The investigation remains ongoing. Police have not announced a clear motive, and officials continue examining digital evidence, witness accounts and the suspect’s background.
