Education community calls for safe spaces after Zamboanga shooting

MANILA, Philippines — The educational community called for safer environments, especially on school grounds, following the fatal school shooting in a private university in Zamboanga last Tuesday.

In a statement, University of the East President Zosimo Battad raised alarm on violent content that is easily consumed online, reminding educators of their roles to help create a safe environment for the youth.

He also extended his condolences to the grieving families in a statement.

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“We join the entire educational community in mourning the tragic loss of lives in the shooting incident in Zamboanga,” Battad said on Wednesday.

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“As educators, we are deeply concerned whenever violence reaches a place that is meant to be safe — a place where our young people should be learning, growing, and building their future,” he added.

A Grade 9 student opened fire at Ateneo de Zamboanga University Junior High School early Tuesday, leaving two junior high school students dead.

READ: Remulla claims Zamboanga shooter may have been influenced by Roblox

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said that the 14-year-old perpetrator may have been influenced by the game Roblox.

Battad said, “While the authorities continue their investigation, this tragedy reminds all of us in the education sector of our shared responsibility to protect our students and to strengthen the culture of care, vigilance, and respect within our schools,” /das