Philippine authorities confirmed on Friday that at least three students were killed during a shooting incident at Banga National High School located in the South Cotabato province of Mindanao. Emergency responders received reports of gunfire at the school around 1:30 p.m. local time.
South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo identified two of the victims as 14-year-old students, one boy and one girl. The third fatality was the suspected gunman. According to Banga town mayor Albert Palencia, eight additional people were injured in the attack, with four of them in critical condition.
The Philippine National Police stated in a press release that the incident is currently under investigation. “Responding police personnel immediately secured the area and coordinated with school authorities and medical responders to assist those affected and ensure the safety of students and school personnel,” the statement read.
While officials have not yet released information regarding a potential motive, social media footage from the scene has sparked conflicting accounts. A verified video posted on Facebook showed a man carrying a wounded child out of the school. In separate footage, a teacher speaking in a local dialect alleged that there were two shooters, while a student claimed the attackers were outsiders.
Wounded students were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment as security forces worked to stabilize the area.
Another school shooting in Mindanao. When will the government take gun control seriously? The cycle of violence must end.
The conflicting reports about outsiders versus insiders are worrying. We need clarity on the motive before jumping to conclusions.
It is horrifying that the gunman also died. This feels like a chaotic scene with no good outcome for anyone involved.
My heart breaks for these families. Three students, just children, lost forever in such a senseless tragedy.