DILG: AdZU shooter entered school in father’s car, bypassing security

BYPASSED. Interior Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla tells reporters in a presser on August 19, 2026 that the shooter in the Ateneo de Zamboanga University bypassed the school's standard security checks. Screenshot of DILG Philippines' Live The father of the shooter claims that he left his gun bag in their car which the child took, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla says The child involved in the Ateneo de Zamboanga University shooting was driven onto campus in his father's vehicle, bypassing security checks. The incident resulted in two fatalities, including the shooter, and two injuries, with no high-powered firearms used contrary to online claims. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla called for the repeal of the 'Robin Padilla' law, linking it to increased crime rates related to loose firearms. This is AI-generated. Read the article for full context. Report any errors. CEBU, Philippines – Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced in a presser on Wednesday, August 19, that the child in conflict with the law (CICL) involved in the Ateneo de Zamboanga University (AdZU) shooting was driven inside the school campus via his father’s private vehicle, bypassing standard security checks. The shooting incident happened on Tuesday morning, August 18, at the junior high school building of AdZU’s Tumaga campus in Barangay Tumaga, Zamboanga City. “Yung bata po ay sumakay sa kotse ng kanyang ama at hinatid siya, at hindi na kinakapkapan at hindi natignan kase sumakay sa kotse. Yung bata ay dumerecho, bumaba sa basement at tuloy-tuloy umakyat,” Remulla said. (The child got into his father’s car and was brought inside, and he was not searched or looked at because he got into the car. The child went straight, went down to the basement and continued to go up.) Remulla, citing police reports, confirmed that there were two fatalities in the tragedy, one of them being the CICL, and two injured students: a female who was grazed on her back and a male who fainted at the scene. The interior secretary stressed that no security guard or teacher was shot, and that no high-powered firearm was used, contrary to claims being spread online. Father: Son stole gun bag According to Remulla, the father of the shooter admitted that he left his gun bag inside their vehicle. The father added that the CICL took the gun bag. “We find it highly improbable. Basta uniformed police ka, nasa training nila ‘yan ng gun safety and safekeeping (As long as you’re a uniformed police officer, they train you in gun safety and safekeeping),” the interior secretary said. Police recovered a 9 mm pistol and a .40 caliber gun from the crime scene. Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. told reporters in the press conference that a minimum of seven shots were fired. When asked if there were any signs that the CICL had motive for firing the gun, Remulla said reports did not find incidents of bullying which may have triggered the CICL. “We are going to check what could have triggered his depression because Roblox and those chat groups only encourage you but deep down inside, the child has their problems,” Remulla said in a mix of English and Filipino. Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno earlier confirmed that the shooter’s father was the Enforcement and Security Service District commander of the port of Zamboanga, and that one of the firearms used was an agency-issued weapon. Remulla called on Congress to repeal the so-called “Robin Padilla” law, which he said made possession of loose firearms a bailable offense. Under Republic Act No. 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, a loose firearm refers to an unregistered firearm, an obliterated or altered firearm, a lost or stolen firearm, illegally manufactured firearms, registered firearms in the possession of an individual other than the licensee, and those with revoked licenses. “The Robin Padilla Law, which extinguished culpability and made [carrying loose firearms] a bailable offense, has led to a surge in crimes,” Remulla claimed. The law that the interior secretary referred to is Republic Act No. 8294. Senator Robin Padilla has previously said he contributed to the drafting of the bill but did not personally author it. RA No. 10591 superseded RA No. 8294, which amended provisions of Presidential Decree No. 1866. – Rappler.com How does this make you feel? Loading