MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said on Thursday that it has initiated an independent fact-finding investigation into the Aug. 18 shooting at the Ateneo de Zamboanga,as it extended its sympathies to the families and the school community.
CHR chairman Richard Palpal-latoc cited the agency’s preliminary findings which confirmed that the shooting involved two Grade 7 students and occurred within school premises, “a stark violation of the sanctuary that educational institutions should provide.”
“We believe that there is an urgent need for a meticulous and impartial investigation, with particular scrutiny on how a minor obtained firearms and successfully brought them onto campus,” said Palpal-latoc, a lawyer.
The commission then called upon national government agencies, local government units, school administrators, families, and community leaders to urgently strengthen protective mechanisms.
These include accessible psychosocial and mental health support services, as well as concrete steps to prevent children from accessing lethal weapons, it stressed.
The CHR also appealed to the media to exercise the highest standards of responsibility in covering this tragedy.
“Reporters are urged to avoid sensationalism, refrain from publishing graphic images or gratuitous details that could inspire copycat behavior, and resist the temptation to prematurely assign motives or diagnose psychological conditions,” Palpal-latoc said.
“Above all, journalists must respect the privacy and dignity of the affected children, families, and school community,” he added.
The government watchdog, the CHR said that true prevention must look beyond the immediate flash of violence and confront the deeper vulnerabilities that place children at risk, all while preserving schools as havens for learning, development, and peace.
It said further that the involvement of children in grave violence compels a multifaceted approach to juvenile justice and child welfare.
“While the commission unequivocally condemns the violence and the irreplaceable loss of young life, it cautions against rushing to judgment about the child perpetrator without a full understanding of the circumstances,” the top CHR official warned.
Palpal-latoc said investigators must diligently examine the constellation of factors that may have contributed to the child’s actions—including firearm accessibility, familial and community support systems, the school environment, and the child’s overall psychosocial well-being.
“A rights-based juvenile justice system holds children accountable in ways that are developmentally appropriate, while also recognizing that children who commit violent acts may themselves be victims in need of protection and rehabilitative intervention,” he emphasized.
Similarly, the CHR said it appealed to the public to voluntarily refrain from sharing names, photographs, videos, or any identifying information that could further traumatize those involved or exacerbate their distress.
As the nation confronts yet another heartbreaking episode of childhood violence, the CHR reiterated a foundational principle: the best interests of the child must always remain paramount, Palpal-latoc pointed out.
Unicef statement
The Philippine office of the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) also extended its “heartfelt condolences to the families mourning immeasurable loss” from the incident and urged the public and media to avoid sharing information that could “further expose affected children and families to harm, stigma or distress.”
“Regardless of the circumstances that may have contributed to such acts, the focus must remain on protecting children, preventing further harm and addressing the factors that place them at risk. This also includes strengthening measures that prevent children from accessing firearms and other lethal weapons, including responsible storage and appropriate safeguards within homes and communities,” Unicef said in a statement posted on Facebook on Wednesday.
“This incident and similar recent events underscore the urgent need to make schools safer, strengthen the systems that protect children and address risks before violence occurs,” it added.
Among the systems the organization said included “stronger coordination between schools, local social welfare and child protection services, health and mental health providers, justice actors and other relevant agencies, as well as the sufficient capacity of school personnel and other child-facing responders to identify and escalate risks early, respond appropriately and connect children to timely support and intervention.”
“All efforts to prevent violence and respond to its consequences must be guided by every child’s right to protection, support and opportunities for positive development,” the children’s organization said.
