Manila, Philippines — The Philippine National Police said onThursday that they are investigating the reason why a student opened fire at Ateneo de Zamboanga University junior high school on Wednesday.
In a press briefing on Thursday Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla and the PNP said that the firearms used in the shooting belonged and registered to the father of the student, who is an official of the Bureau of Customs Zamboanga.
Here, they once again emphasized the heavier penalties for gun owners should their firearms be used in the commission of a crime.
Remulla called on Congress to revisit existing gun laws and impose greater accountability on firearm owners as the government moves to address the proliferation of loose firearms following the incident.
PNP Chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said responding police officers recovered two short firearms: a Glock 22 caliber 40 registered under the Bureau of Customs and a Glock 9mm pistol with inserted magazines.
Citing initial reports from the PNP, Remulla said Ateneo de Zamboanga has 25 security guards on 24-hour duty shifts, with 15 deployed during the day and 10 in the evening.
The DILG chief underscored the need to reinforce gun-safety training and ensure that responsible firearm ownership does not end with obtaining a license.
Under long-standing security protocols, security guards check the bags of students entering the school on foot, while students riding in vehicles are allowed to enter the school premises without undergoing the same checks.
Reported victims included a Grade 10 student who died and two other students who were injured, while several students experienced panic attacks, anxiety, and minor injuries during the incident. The suspect shot himself and died after the incident.