At least three students have been killed and eight others injured after a shooting at a high school in the southern Philippines, authorities said, in the latest in a series of deadly incidents involving firearms at schools in the country.
The attack took place on Friday, September 18, at Banga National High School in Banga town, South Cotabato province, on the southern island of Mindanao. Local officials said the victims were students between the ages of 14 and 17. Four of the injured students were reported to be in critical condition.
The suspected shooter, identified by the town mayor as a 16-year-old student, was also among those killed. Authorities said he turned the firearm on himself after the attack. Initial reports indicated that the gunman had fired at students before taking his own life.
Banga Mayor Albert Palencia told Reuters that the teenager had reportedly spoken to friends before the shooting, telling them to leave because he intended to carry out his plan after lunch. His friends reportedly did not take the statement seriously because they considered him someone who frequently joked. Officials are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Emergency responders rushed to the school after reports of gunfire, while the Philippine Red Cross assisted in the immediate response. Footage verified by international news agencies showed emergency personnel carrying an injured child away from the school grounds as the response operation continued.
Authorities subsequently suspended classes across the municipality of Banga as officials assessed the situation and worked to support affected students and families. The Department of Education said its immediate concern was the safety and well-being of students, teachers and other school personnel, while urging the public to avoid spreading unverified information during the investigation.
The shooting has drawn particular attention because school shootings have historically been relatively uncommon in the Philippines. However, Friday's attack follows two other deadly school shootings reported since June.
In June, three students were killed and around 20 people were wounded when two students reportedly opened fire at a public high school in Tacloban. In August, another student in Zamboanga reportedly shot and killed a fellow student inside a classroom before taking his own life.
The latest incident has renewed discussion about firearm access and safety around schools. The Philippines maintains regulations governing civilian gun ownership, including background checks and psychological assessments, but authorities continue to face challenges involving unlicensed firearms.
South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo called on gun owners to ensure firearms are securely stored and kept away from children and teenagers. He also noted that school security cannot depend solely on a limited number of personnel and called for cooperation among families, communities and authorities.
As investigators work to establish the full circumstances and possible motive behind the Banga shooting, families of the victims are facing the aftermath of an attack that has once again raised concerns over safety in Philippine schools.