MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Friday it will strengthen rules on the handling and safekeeping of firearms to prevent unauthorized access following the death of two students in a shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University.
Two high school students died on Aug. 18 after a Grade 8 student used a 9mm Glock pistol to shoot a fellow student inside Room 404 of the university. The shooter later went to another floor and died after shooting himself.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez reminded police personnel to secure their firearms, particularly while off duty.
“Firearms must never be left in places where children or unauthorized persons can gain access to them,” Nartatez said in a statement.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the gun belonged to the shooter’s father, who works for the Bureau of Customs and has a permit to carry firearms.
BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said the father had left his firearms inside the vehicle used to bring the student to school.
Nartatez also ordered police commanders to include firearm-accountability reminders in unit briefings and emphasized that gun ownership carries serious responsibility.
The PNP said it recorded at least 50 school-related incidents involving children in conflict with the law from June 16 to Aug. 19. These included 26 alleged bomb threats, 12 alleged shooting threats, four stabbing incidents, four arrests for illegal firearm possession, two death threats and two shooting incidents.
Nartatez said the PNP supports stricter accountability among firearm owners and stressed that responsible storage remains essential.
