Negros Oriental Gov. Manuel “Chaco” Sagarbarria has ordered a province-wide review and strengthening of security measures in and around schools following the shooting at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University campus that left two students dead on Tuesday, Aug. 18.
In a statement, Sagarbarria directed concerned provincial offices to coordinate with the Philippine National Police, Department of Education, component cities and municipalities, and school administrators to assess existing security arrangements and emergency response procedures.
The governor said the review should cover school access and security protocols, coordination with law enforcement and local authorities, security visibility where necessary, and preparedness for emergencies.
“We must identify vulnerabilities before they become tragedies,” Sagarbarria said in a statement.
He also stressed that school safety should extend beyond physical security measures, calling for stronger communication among schools, families, communities and authorities so that potential threats and warning signs can be reported and acted upon promptly.
Sagarbarria urged Negrenses to remain vigilant but calm and avoid spreading unverified information that could cause unnecessary fear.
The directive came after a shooting inside the high school campus of Ateneo de Zamboanga University in Zamboanga City on Tuesday morning.
Authorities confirmed that two students, both minors, died in the incident, including the student accused of carrying out the shooting and another student who was shot.
Reports said at least two other people were reported injured, while hundreds of students were evacuated from the campus following the shooting.
Police are investigating the motive for the shooting, how the firearms were brought inside the campus, and the circumstances surrounding access to the weapons.
Ateneo de Zamboanga University confirmed the two deaths and said it was cooperating with authorities in the investigation.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also ordered law enforcement agencies to investigate the incident and determine measures that could help prevent similar violence in schools.
Sagarbarria said the Negros Oriental provincial government would take proactive steps to heighten school security following the incident.
“Schools must always remain places of learning, hope, growth, and safety,” he said, adding, “The safety of our children and our communities must always remain a paramount responsibility,” Sagarbarria added.*
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