3 Killed, Several Students Wounded In Philippines School Shooting

At least three people, including the suspected gunman, have been killed in a shooting at Banga National High School in South Cotabato province, southern Philippines.

Several students were also wounded in the incident, which occurred at about 1:30 p.m. local time (0530 GMT) on Friday in Banga town, Mindanao.

The Philippine National Police, in a statement, confirmed the deaths and injuries.

“The incident resulted in three confirmed deaths and several individuals wounded,” the police said.

South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo said two of those killed were students, a 14-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl, while the third victim was the suspected gunman.

Banga town Mayor Albert Palencia was quoted by Reuters as saying eight people were injured, four of them critically.

The motive for the shooting was not immediately known.

“The incident remains 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 police said.

Emergency responders were deployed to the school following reports of gunfire, while wounded students were taken to hospitals for treatment.

A video posted on Facebook and verified by AFP showed a man carrying what appeared to be a wounded child away from the school.

In another video, a teacher speaking in a local dialect appeared to say there were two shooters, while a student claimed the attackers were outsiders.

Police have not confirmed the reports of multiple gunmen.

School shootings are relatively rare in the Philippines, where gun ownership is tightly regulated, although several incidents involving firearms at learning institutions have been reported in recent months.

In August, a high school student opened fire at a private university campus in the country, killing a fellow student and wounding two others before turning the gun on himself.

Earlier in June, three pupils were killed and about 20 others injured in another school shooting in Tacloban City in eastern Philippines. Two suspects, aged 14 and 15, were subsequently arrested in connection with the attack.