Teacher may have been target in Zamboanga school shooting, says official

PAGADIAN CITY — Philippine authorities are investigating whether a teacher was the intended target in a shooting incident at Ateneo de Zamboanga University's junior high school campus on Tuesday morning, according to Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara.

Angara, who traveled to Zamboanga City to assess the situation, said investigators are pursuing this line of inquiry despite a Grade 10 student being fatally shot during the attack. The revelation suggests the incident may not have been a random act of violence but rather a targeted attack with a specific objective.

The shooting occurred on campus during school hours, prompting immediate concerns about student safety and campus security protocols. Details regarding the identity of the suspected shooter and the motive for the attack remain under investigation.

Angara's statement underscores the ongoing efforts by authorities to determine the circumstances surrounding the violence. School officials and law enforcement continue to work together to gather evidence and statements from witnesses present at the time of the shooting.

The incident has raised fresh concerns about security measures in educational institutions across the region and may prompt a review of campus safety protocols in the coming weeks.