PNP finds no evidence of conspiracy, bullying in AdZU shooting incident
The police found no evidence of conspiracy, bullying, or campus dispute behind the school shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University’s Junior High School campus that claimed the lives of two students.
In a final regular video update on Aug. 27, AdZU president Fr. Ernald Andal said the university had received the Philippine National Police’s report following its investigation into the Aug. 18 incident, underscoring that there was no evidence of a conspiracy or bullying behind the attack.
"The report found no evidence of conspiracy or coordination with others. It also found no evidence that bullying, disciplinary concerns, interpersonal conflict, or a school-related grievance motivated the attack," he said.
Andal said that while he acknowledges that questions were understandable, speculation presented as fact only caused further confusion and added to the pain of grieving families and communities.
"Questions were understandable. People were afraid. People were grieving and trying to make sense of what happened. But speculation presented as fact caused further confusion and more seriously added to the pain of families and communities already carrying a terrible loss," the university president said.
"The report gives us a reminder we should carry forward. When lives and reputations are at stake, especially those of minors, we must be careful about what we say, about what we post, what we forward, and what we believe. Seeking truth requires patience," he added.
Andal said the PNP had referred complaints against two individuals for alleged reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and physical injuries, stressing that the cases would undergo due process and that the university would not make judgments before the cases are resolved.
"We will also extend appropriate support to affected personnel insofar as this may properly be provided. We take these findings seriously," he added.
He added that the university is implementing stronger security measures through stricter inspections, tighter gate controls, enhanced monitoring, and additional security personnel and equipment.
The community is also asked to cooperate with and respect security personnel as these measures are implemented, stressing that preventing violence remains a shared responsibility with parents and educators that includes responsible firearm ownership, secure storage, and greater awareness of students’ well-being.
On Aug. 18, a male AdZU student brought a high-powered firearm and a .45-caliber pistol to campus and shot a teacher and another student in separate classrooms. Two people, including the shooter, were confirmed dead.
The Bureau of Customs confirmed that the firearm allegedly used by the shooter belonged to a Customs Police personnel, who has been relieved and suspended.
The PNP on Thursday said that a school security guard and the student's father are facing criminal charges.
The shooting came nearly two months after a similar incident in San Jose National High School, Tacloban, where two high school students shot through the school, killing three students. The shooters have since been detained, and the Department of Justice has issued a resolution indicting the owner of one of the firearms used.
