DILG Urges Amendement of 'Robin Padilla Law' Following Ateneo de Zamboanga Shooting

QUEZON CITY — Following the tragedy at Ateneo de Zamboanga University, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla called on Congress on 19/08/2026 to amend Republic Act No. 11766, informally known as the "Robin Padilla Law".

Speaking at a joint press briefing at Camp Crame alongside Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., Remulla linked the surge in gun crimes to the statute's provisions that lowered penalties and rendered loose firearm possession a bailable offence.

"The Robin Padilla Law, which extinguished culpability and made it a bailable offense, has led to a surge in crimes precisely because [possession of] loose firearms is a bailable offense," Remulla said. "We are looking only at one incident, but 98 percent of the incidents are loose firearms. Ang hinihingi ko sa Congress ay i-repeal na ang Robin Padilla law at gawin ulit non-bailable ang loose firearms."

Remulla further emphasised that gun owners must face strict penalties and punitive damages for non-safekeeping if their weapons are accessed by others to commit violent crimes. Addressing doubts over how the suspect secured handguns belonging to his father, a Bureau of Customs (BOC) official, Remulla remarked: "Ang turing nila [law enforcement] sa kanilang baril ay parang asawa nila yan. Hindi nila iniiwan. Lagi nilang dala."

PNP Chief Gen. Nartatez confirmed that law enforcement recovered "voluminous ammunition" at the scene and verified that seven rounds were discharged during the campus attack. Addressing the scope of casualties, official reports confirm two fatalities—the Grade 10 student victim and the student gunman—along with two others injured by gunfire, while several dozen others were treated for non-gunshot injuries or acute panic during the stampede and evacuation.

Nartatez also urged social media users to show compassion and refrain from sharing content involving minors, stating: "This is an unfortunate incident that should be treated with utmost sensitivity, especially that there were minors involved in the content. Let us all be compassionate over this tragedy and it starts by showing respect and becoming responsible netizens."

The shooting incident on 18/08/2026 resulted in the deaths of a 15-year-old Grade 10 student and the Grade 9 gunman, who turned the weapon on himself after livestreaming parts of the attack. Authorities continue to investigate security measures and administrative protocols at the campus.