A Philippines school shooting at Banga National High School in South Cotabato has left three people dead and eight others injured.
The victims include two 14-year-old students and the 16-year-old student accused of carrying out the attack. The teenage gunman later died by suicide, according to local officials and Reuters.
Four of the injured students remain in critical condition. Authorities said the victims were between 14 and 17 years old.
Banga School Shooting Under Investigation
The shooting happened on Friday afternoon at Banga National High School on the southern island of Mindanao.
Banga Mayor Albert Palencia said the teenager had spoken with friends before the attack. According to Palencia, the student told them to go home because he planned to carry out an attack after lunch.
His friends reportedly dismissed the warning because they knew him as someone who often joked.
The teenager then opened fire inside the school before turning the weapon on himself. Police have secured the campus and launched an investigation.
Eight Students Injured
Eight people were injured in the Philippines school shooting, with four reportedly in critical condition.
Emergency responders rushed victims to nearby hospitals. The Philippine Red Cross also sent medical personnel to the school after receiving an alert about the shooting.
Authorities suspended classes across Banga following the attack. The education department said it was coordinating with local officials and law enforcement while providing support to affected students and staff.
Officials have also urged the public not to spread unverified information while investigators establish exactly what happened.
Gun Access Under Scrutiny
The shooting has renewed attention on how minors can gain access to firearms.
South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo urged gun owners to store weapons responsibly and prevent children from accessing them.
“We cannot expect a handful of security personnel to monitor thousands of students,” Tamayo told Reuters, stressing that families and communities also have a role in preventing such incidents.
Reports indicate the firearm used in the attack belonged to the teenager’s family. Authorities are investigating how he obtained access to it.
Third Deadly School Shooting Since June
The Philippines school shooting is the third deadly school shooting reported in the country since June.
In June, at least three students were killed and about 20 others were injured after two classmates opened fire at a public high school in Tacloban.
Then, in August, a student in Zamboanga City killed another student inside a classroom before taking his own life.
School shootings have historically been uncommon in the Philippines. However, the recent incidents have increased concerns about school security and young people’s access to firearms.
Authorities Urge Calm
The Department of Education said the safety and wellbeing of students, teachers and school employees remains its immediate priority.
Officials are working with police, local authorities and schools to investigate the attack and provide psychological and other support to those affected.
For now, the investigation remains ongoing. Authorities are also examining the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s access to the firearm and whether any other factors contributed to the attack.
