A student killed a classmate and then himself during a shooting at a high school in Zamboanga, southern Philippines, on August 18, 2026, authorities confirmed. The incident, the second school attack in the country in two months, saw the gunman livestream the attack before taking his own life.
The shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University in Zamboanga City left two students dead, including the alleged perpetrator, according to multiple verified accounts. A grade 9 student brought a pistol and rifle onto the campus, opened fire in a classroom, and killed a grade 10 student before turning the weapon on himself, officials said. The school’s president confirmed there were no additional fatalities or injuries, and police described the motive as under investigation.
Gunman Live-Streamed Attack, Then Killed Himself
Witnesses and verified video footage show the shooter livestreaming the attack using a body-worn camera, capturing the moment he opened fire in a classroom. Reuters confirmed the video, which depicts the gunman entering a classroom, firing, and then switching weapons to target a second room. The victim, a male student, was found on the fourth floor of the school, while the shooter was later discovered dead on the fifth floor, according to city councillor Frederick Atilano.
The shooter’s Facebook account was disabled after the attack, and social media footage verified by Reuters showed students fleeing the campus as gunshots echoed. The school, housed in a five-storey building, suspended classes following the incident, with authorities coordinating with parents to retrieve children.
President Calls for School Safety Measures
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. condemned the attack, stating, Our schools are where we entrust our children to learn, to grow and to dream about the lives ahead of them. They must also be among the safest places in our country.
The president ordered law enforcement to investigate the shooting and identify measures to prevent future violence in schools.
The incident follows a similar attack in June at a public high school in Tacloban City, where three students were killed. School shootings remain rare in the Philippines, despite strict gun ownership regulations, though illegal firearms persist. Police are working with local authorities to determine the shooter’s motive.
Weapons Linked to Shooter’s Family
A senior customs official revealed that one of the weapons used in the attack was a .40-caliber pistol issued to the shooter’s father, a customs official who has since been relieved from his post. The official stated the father had been relieved over the incident. The second firearm recovered from the scene was a licensed personal firearm owned by the shooter’s father, according to AP News.
The shooter, identified as Mohammad Mael Jalani by police, had previously been reported to have a gaming history that authorities are reviewing. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla noted that the shooter showed this on Facebook Live starting when he was climbing up the stairs but there were only snippets,
emphasizing the need for a forensic analysis to determine the motive.
Residents Describe Chaos, Call for Action
Joe Darryl Jaron, a parent who arrived at the school shortly after the shooting, recorded video of the commotion and posted it on Facebook, shouting, There are gunshots here in Ateneo, help! help.
Local media footage showed students and parents gathering outside the school, with armed police and soldiers deployed at the gates.
Regional police spokeswoman Shella Chang told the AFP that the investigation was ongoing, adding, We are still trying to identify the motive.
Authorities urged the public to refrain from sharing unconfirmed reports or videos, which could exacerbate public concern.
Broader Implications and Regional Context
The shooting occurred less than 10 days after a high-profile incident in Thailand, where a student went on a shooting rampage at a school on the outskirts of the capital Bangkok. In the Philippines, the incident has reignited debates over gun control and school security, despite existing regulations.
Authorities have not yet determined if the attack was linked to previous incidents.
