Philippines school shooting leaves two dead and four injured in South Cotabato

PHILIPPINES: A shooting at Banga National High School in Banga, South Cotabato, in the southern Philippines, left two people dead and four others injured on Friday (18 September), according to reports from local authorities and news agencies.

The Department of Education (DepEd) confirmed that firearms had been used in an incident at the public school but initially said it was still coordinating with local authorities and law enforcement to establish what had happened.

Philstar initially reported one death and four injuries based on statements from South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo and preliminary information from the Philippine Red Cross. Later reports put the death toll at two.

The Philippine News Agency subsequently reported that the suspected shooter was a student who died after shooting his classmates at the school.

The agency reported that four other students were injured.

The incident took place at Banga National High School in Barangay Benitez, Banga. The school provides both junior and senior high school education.

Authorities respond

Local disaster-response personnel received reports of gunfire at the campus at about 1.30pm, according to Manila Times, which cited a regional disaster agency worker.

South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo said the situation had been contained and urged the public to remain calm while authorities dealt with the incident and investigated what had happened.

The Department of Education said its immediate priority was the safety and well-being of students, teachers and other school personnel.

“We are also ready to provide psychological first aid and mental health and psychosocial support to those affected,” the department said.

DepEd said it was coordinating with its Schools Division Office and Regional Office, local authorities and law enforcement agencies to verify the circumstances and provide assistance.

The department also appealed to the public to remain calm and refrain from sharing unverified information while the investigation was under way.

DepEd Region XII separately asked members of the public to stop circulating videos of the incident, saying that sharing such material could cause further trauma and violate the privacy of victims and their families.

Reports of earlier school shootings

The Banga shooting comes after two other deadly school shooting incidents in the Philippines since June.

On 22 June, two students opened fire at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, killing at least three schoolmates and injuring about 20 others, according to Philstar and Reuters.

On 18 August, a student armed with two pistols shot and killed a schoolmate at the junior high school building of Ateneo de Zamboanga University, according to Philstar.

The incidents have prompted increased attention to school security, with nationwide live-shooter drills reportedly conducted earlier this month following the previous attacks.

The circumstances surrounding the Banga shooting, including how the firearm was brought onto the campus and what led to the shooting, remain subject to investigation.