By Politiko staff
The student gunman behind the deadly shooting at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU) Junior High School on August 18 showed clear intent to carry firearms on campus and execute the attack, according to the Zamboanga City police chief.
During a Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality hearing led by Senator Risa Hontiveros, lawmakers questioned how the shooter managed to bring multiple weapons inside school grounds without triggering security protocols.
“Pano siya nakalusot, Colonel, sa mga security check doon sa school? To think na may dala siyang dalawang ganyang sandata. Paano nangyari po yun?” Hontiveros asked Zamboanga City Police Office Director Colonel Fidel Fortaleza.
Fortaleza explained that the shooter arrived on campus aboard a pickup truck while carrying a bag containing the firearms, managing to slip past security personnel stationed at the entryways.
“Hindi siya dumaan sa proper checking ng mga security guard at nakaakyat po siya ng fourth floor ng building na hindi naka-iwas po siya sa mga nagche-check po na security guard ng ADZU,” Fortaleza said.
He noted that while guards were posted at main gates typically used by students, secondary access routes lacked inspection points.
“Sa ramp po, ma’am, wala [nag-check], pero meron po sa gate, mayroon mga security officers po ang ADZU na nagche-check sa regular na dinadaanan po ng mga bata o ng mga estudyante,” the police chief added.
Fortaleza emphasized that investigators are treating the breach as evidence of a calculated, deliberate plot to execute the violent act on that specific day.
“Yan po ang isang angle natin na may motive talaga na magdala siya ng armas at magbaril po, yung shooter victim natin….indication po na talagang may motibo siya na dadalhin niya yung baril po,” he stated.
