Three students were killed and eight others injured after a 16-year-old student allegedly opened fire at a school in the southern Philippines on Friday before turning the gun on himself.
The shooting took place at Banga National High School in Banga town, South Cotabato, during the afternoon. Mayor Albert Palencia said all the victims were students aged between 14 and 17, while four of those injured were in critical condition.
Palencia said the suspected gunman had spoken to friends during lunchtime and told them to go home because he planned to carry out an attack after lunch. His friends reportedly dismissed the remark because he was known for joking.
“After lunch, he started shooting students. He hit 10 students before killing himself,” Palencia said.
The Philippine Department of Education said it was deeply concerned over the reported shooting and that the immediate priority was the safety and welfare of students, teachers and school personnel. The department said it was coordinating with authorities to verify details and provide support.
Authorities suspended classes at all levels across Banga municipality following the incident. Police were deployed at the school and began investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
The Philippine Red Cross said it was alerted at around 2 pm local time and dispatched an ambulance and four paramedics to provide emergency assistance.
The shooting is the third deadly incident at a Philippine school since June, when school shootings were described as relatively rare.
In June, at least three students were killed and around 20 others injured after two students allegedly opened fire at a public high school in Tacloban. Investigators believed the attack was linked to a grudge over bullying.
The Department of Education urged the public to remain calm and avoid sharing unverified information as authorities continued their investigation.
