DepEd sends psychosocial support after Zambo school shooting

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education has ordered its regional office in Zamboanga Peninsula to provide psychosocial support to students, teachers and families affected by the fatal school shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University Junior High School early Tuesday.

In a statement, Education Secretary Sonny Angara has sent condolences to the grieving families.

He also guaranteed that psychosocial support will be made available to those who were deeply disturbed by the incident. 

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“As a father, my heart goes out to the parents who are grieving today,” he expressed in a statement on Tuesday.

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“My sympathies are likewise with all the families affected by this tragedy, as well as the teachers, learners and school personnel who experienced this terrible incident,” he said.

He appealed to the public to refrain from spreading videos, photographs or unverified accounts of the incident online.

He said, “minors and grieving families are involved, and their privacy and dignity deserve our protection.”

READ: 2 reported dead in Zamboanga City school shooting

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The secretary would like to know how the firearms had been obtained by a minor and brought to the school grounds.

“We will await the findings of the investigation, especially on how the firearms came into the possession of a minor and was brought onto a school campus, so that we can learn from this tragedy and help prevent similar incidents in other schools,” he said.

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A Grade 9 student in conflict with the law opened fire in its Junior High School campus on Tuesday morning. The university said it is closely coordinating with the Philippine National Police regarding the incident. /das