A tragic incident unfolded at a high school campus in the southern Philippines when a student armed with two pistols fatally shot another student before taking his own life. The violent act, which was livestreamed using a body-worn camera, marked the second deadly school shooting in the country within two months.
The shooting occurred at the Ateneo de Zamboanga university campus in Zamboanga, prompting the evacuation of hundreds of students as gunshots reverberated through the high school building. Two individuals sustained injuries during the attack.
The assailant, identified as Mohammad Mael Jalani, a Grade 9 student, targeted a teacher but missed before fatally shooting a student on the fourth floor. He then proceeded to the fifth floor where he committed suicide. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla revealed that the attacker livestreamed the incident on Facebook Live, showcasing snippets of his actions. Authorities plan to investigate the perpetrator’s gaming and chat histories to understand the motive behind the attack fully.
Zamboanga City Mayor Khymer Adan Olaso confirmed that the suspect died by suicide. The high school building, where the tragedy unfolded, is situated within a secure campus separate from the main university premises. Ateneo, one of the region’s esteemed educational institutions, suspended classes across all levels in the aftermath of the shooting.
Eyewitness Joe Darryl Jaron captured the chaotic scene following the gunshots, which prompted a swift response from law enforcement. Police urged parents and guardians to follow the school’s instructions for picking up their children safely.
The national police chief, Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., emphasized the ongoing investigation into the incident and cautioned against sharing unverified information that could cause unnecessary alarm. Additionally, it was revealed that one of the pistols used in the attack belonged to the suspect’s father, a Bureau of Customs police commander, potentially leading to administrative repercussions for failing to secure the government-issued firearm properly.
While firearm-related crimes are not uncommon in the Philippines due to the prevalence of unlicensed weapons, school shootings remain infrequent. Despite previous assurances of enhanced school security following a June shooting incident, where three students were killed and several others injured, this tragic event underscores the ongoing challenges in preventing such violence.