A shooting incident at Banga National High School in Mindanao’s Banga municipality resulted in three fatalities and eight injuries during Friday afternoon. According to local mayor Albert Palencia, two of the deceased were 14-year-old students, while the gunman was identified as a 16-year-old who died at the scene. Four of the injured individuals were reported to be in critical condition.
The shooter allegedly told friends during lunchtime that he planned to carry out his scheme after the lunch period, though his peers dismissed the statement as a joke given his reputation as someone who frequently made humorous remarks. Following the lunch break, the gunman opened fire, striking approximately ten students before taking his own life.
The Department of Education released a statement expressing concern about the incident and stating that student and staff safety constituted the immediate priority. Officials announced the suspension of classes across all levels throughout Banga municipality in response to the shooting. Authorities mobilized emergency services, with the Philippines Red Cross dispatching paramedics to provide assistance after receiving notification of the incident.
This represents the third deadly school shooting in the Philippines within the span of four months. A June shooting at a high school in central Philippines killed three students, with investigations suggesting bullying-related motivations. An August incident at a Catholic junior high school in southern Philippines resulted in one student fatality and another death by suicide.
South Cotabato governor Reynaldo Tamayo called upon adult gun owners to exercise responsibility in firearms storage and prevent minors from accessing weapons. He emphasized the need for community cooperation, noting that security personnel alone could not adequately protect the student population.
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