SENATE President Sherwin Gatchalian has called for a thorough investigation into the shooting incident at Ateneo de Zamboanga University, urging authorities to determine how the gunman was able to bring two firearms into the school premises.

Gatchalian also urged the Department of Education and the local government to immediately provide psychosocial support to students and school personnel affected by the incident.

He said authorities must provide clear answers on how the shooter was able to obtain the firearms and bring them inside the school.

Gatchalian extended his condolences to the entire Ateneo de Zamboanga community and vowed to work with the education sector to strengthen measures aimed at preventing violence in schools.

Meanwhile, Senate Committee on Basic Education Chairman Bam Aquino described the incident as heartbreaking, saying it was distressing that a place where students build their hopes and dreams had become a site of fear and violence.

As a parent, Aquino said the incident was particularly painful and underscored the need to ensure that schools remain safe spaces for children.

The senator vowed to do everything within his capacity to help prevent similar incidents from happening again.