Members of the House of Representatives have expressed great concern over the deadly school shooting in Zambonga City on Tuesday morning, Aug. 18, especially since it continues the spate of violence in the country's learning institutions.

Akbayan Party-list Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula says the incident at Ateneo de Zamboanga University hits very close to home, being a resident of Zamboanga City.

"I am deeply saddened and concerned by the shooting at the Ateneo de Zamboanga High School campus in Tumaga this morning. City Mayor Khymer Olaso has confirmed two deaths," she said in a statement.

"My heart goes out to the students, teachers, staff, parents, and the entire Zamboanga City community. Our schools must always be safe spaces for learning and growth," Kiram said.

She says Akbayan Party-list stands with the community and is ready to support in every way possible.

"We also appeal to everyone to refrain from sharing unverified details out of respect for the victims' families and to avoid causing further distress," Ismula said.

The Ateneo de Zamboanga University shooting took place less than a month from the San Jose National High School shooting in Tacloban City, Leyte. Three students died from that incident.

SSS-GSIS Pensyonado Party-list Rep. Rolando “Rolly” Ledesma Macasaet, an alumnus of the university, was similarly affected.

"I am deeply saddened and heartbroken by the tragic shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University this morning, which claimed the lives of two young students," he said.

"As an alumnus of Ateneo de Zamboanga, this tragedy hits especially close to home. Ateneo is more than a school to many of us. It is a community where we grew, formed friendships, learned our values, and built dreams for the future. To see such a tragedy unfold within its halls is profoundly painful," noted Macasaet.

Rep. Perci Cendaña, another Akbayan nominee, said he was concerned over the apparent "normalization" of such acts in schools, which not too long ago seemed unthinkable in the Philippine setting.

"Nakababahala na tila nanonormalize na ang ganitong uri ng karahasan (It's alarming that such violence is seeming getting normalized). Schools should be safe spaces for learning and creativity, not places for our kids to fear for their lives," he said.

"I urge the national government and local authorities to immediately extend the necessary medical services and psychosocial support to the victims, survivors, and their families," added Cendaña.

He asked his colleagues in Congress to immediately enact the Child Safety Against Gun Violence Act to strictly prevent minors from accessing firearms and to ensure that schools become gun‑free zones.

"As Congress deliberates the proposed 2027 National Budget, we must also ensure greater funding for mental health programs and psychosocial support for children and young people in tandem with strengthening prevention and early intervention programs that can address violence before it happens," Cendaña said.

Senior Deputy Minority Leader Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima was incredulous that a firearm was once again brought inside school premises.

"Ano nang nangyayari?! Paano na naman naipasok ang baril sa paaralan? (What is happening?! How was a gun brought into the school again?)" she asked.

"It’s very alarming that less than two months after the Tacloban school shooting, another act of violence like this has occurred," De Lima said.

The former senator reckoned that "The bad side of social media and video games exerting pernicious influence on young people are now in full view. Forms of violence never seen before in our country."

"Urgent and effective safeguards are needed to prevent similar tragic incidents," she said.

Another Akbayan nominee, Rep. Chel Diokno, echoed the call to swiftly pass the Child Safety Against Gun Violence Act.

"Maraming tanong ang kailangang sagutin: Saan nakuha ng bata ang high-powered firearm? Ano ang ugat ng pangyayari? Sino ang nagkulang sa paggabay at pagbabantay?" he said.

(Many questions need to be answered: Where did the child get the high‑powered firearm? What is the root of the incident? Who failed in guidance and supervision?)

"Habang iniimbestigahan ito, kailangan din nating kumilos (While this is being investigated, we also need to take action)," noted Diokno.