At least 2 dead in shooting at high school in southern Philippines

At least 2 dead in shooting at high school in southern Philippines
People stand outside Ateneo de Zamboanga University after a shooting that killed two people, in Zamboanga, southern Philippines, 18 August 2026.
Reuters

At least two people were killed, including the alleged shooter, and a number were injured in a shooting at a high school in the southern Philippine city of Zamboanga.

The incident happened on Tuesday, 17 August at a school on the campus of Ateneo de Zamboanga University. City mayor Khymer Adan Olaso said the two people killed were students, including the suspected shooter, who killed himself, according to an interview he gave to the local ANC news channel. 

University president Ernald Andal confirmed there was no longer an active threat.

“As of now, we confirm that there are two fatalities. There are no more active shooters,” he said.

Officials said the suspect used a high-powered firearm. The circumstances leading up to the shooting were still being investigated.

Attack brought under control

Olaso said the suspect appeared to have been wearing a body camera and may have been livestreaming the attack.

According to the mayor, the suspect first fired at a teacher before shooting another student. The teacher's condition was not immediately clear.

The university said it was working with police and other authorities as investigators established what happened.

“We do not want any of these things to happen,” Andal said. “We wish to prioritise the safety of all our students.”

Second school shooting in weeks

The shooting is the second deadly attack at a Philippine school in less than two months.

In June, at least three students were killed and around 20 others injured when two students opened fire at a public high school in Tacloban City.

The latest incident also comes less than two weeks after a school shooting in Thailand, where a student killed a fellow pupil before taking his own life.

The incidents have renewed concerns over gun violence and safety in schools across the region.

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