At Least Two Killed in School Shooting in Southern Philippines

The shooting occurred on Friday in Banga town, on the island of Mindanao, triggering a major emergency response as rescuers rushed injured students to hospitals.

Initial reports from local disaster response officials said at least two students had been killed and seven people were receiving medical treatment. Provincial officials later confirmed that three students had died, including a 16-year-old suspected of carrying out the attack.

Authorities said the teenager turned the gun on himself after opening fire on other students.

The incident has raised fresh concerns about school safety in the Philippines, where campus shootings have historically been relatively uncommon. It is the third deadly school shooting reported in the country since June.

South Cotabato officials said the victims were aged between 14 and 17. Four of the injured students were reported to be in critical condition.

According to local officials, the suspected shooter had reportedly told friends earlier in the day that he intended to carry out an attack after lunch. The warning was reportedly not taken seriously at the time.

Emergency responders were quickly deployed after gunfire was reported at the school. Videos from the scene showed rescuers carrying an injured child away from the campus for treatment.

The authorities have not yet established all the circumstances surrounding the attack, including how the firearm was obtained and what may have motivated the shooting.

The latest incident follows two other deadly school shootings in the Philippines in recent months. In June, at least three students were killed and about 20 others injured during a shooting at a public high school in Tacloban.

Another deadly incident occurred last month in Zamboanga, where a student reportedly livestreamed himself shooting another student before taking his own life.

The repeated incidents have intensified calls for stronger security measures around schools and greater attention to firearms control.

South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo urged gun owners to ensure that firearms are safely stored and kept away from minors. He also said preventing such attacks would require cooperation among families, schools and communities.

The Philippines has relatively strict regulations governing firearm ownership, including background checks and psychological assessments. However, authorities continue to face challenges over the circulation of illegal firearms.

The latest shooting also comes after nationwide live-shooter drills were conducted in schools earlier this month as authorities sought to strengthen preparedness following the recent attacks.

Investigations into Friday’s shooting are continuing as authorities work to establish the full circumstances of the incident and ensure the safety of students and staff at the affected school.