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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Trade & Industry devider Customs gun used in Ateneo de Zamboanga shooting; officer suspended

Customs gun used in Ateneo de Zamboanga shooting; officer suspended

Published Aug 18, 2026 03:03 pm
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) ordered an immediate crackdown on service firearm custody after a customs police officer’s weapon was allegedly used in a shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga on Tuesday, Aug. 18.
Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno placed the officer on preventive suspension and relieved them of duty pending a full investigation into how the student obtained the firearm.
The bureau has directed its deputy commissioners and regional offices to gather evidence and work directly with law enforcement agencies investigating the case.
Nepomuceno gave all operational units 24 hours to complete a bureau-wide accounting and physical inventory of every issued firearm. The review will assess overall compliance with agency policies governing gun safety, transport, carrying, and secure storage.
The incident exposes potential vulnerabilities in the agency’s internal security protocol, coming just two months after the bureau attempted to tighten control over its armory.
In June, Nepomuceno issued agency-wide directives mandating quarterly inventory reports, routine compliance checks, and strict adherence to firearm handling regulations. Those measures required personnel to undergo regular neuropsychological evaluations, updated licensing, and safety retraining.
“The Bureau of Customs extends its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims of the tragic shooting incident,” the agency said in a statement, adding that it remains committed to strict accountability to prevent similar lapses.
The shooting occurred on the main campus of Ateneo de Zamboanga, prompting immediate safety lockdowns across the university premises as local authorities moved in to secure the site.
The bureau did not immediately release details on how the student managed to access the officer's service weapon or specify whether the gun was taken from a private residence or an official agency facility. Authorities have not yet disclosed the condition or total number of victims involved in the incident.

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