A tragedy unfolded at a high school in the southern region of the Philippines on Friday afternoon, leaving three individuals dead, including the teenage assailant, and eight others wounded. The bloodshed occurred at Banga National High School in the municipality of Banga, located within the province of Mindanao.
Local officials confirmed that the two student victims who lost their lives were both 14 years of age. Medical personnel indicated that four of the eight injured pupils were currently receiving intensive care for critical wounds.
According to local authorities, the perpetrator was a 16-year-old student at the facility. Prior to the attack, the youth reportedly told peers during a midday meal to head home because he intended to carry out a scheme. Witnesses initially dismissed the remarks as a prank, unaware of the impending danger.
Following the afternoon lunch hour, the suspect opened fire on his schoolmates, wounding ten individuals before turning the weapon on himself. First responders, including teams from the Philippine Red Cross, rushed to the campus after receiving emergency alerts shortly after 14:00 local time.
Regional education officials expressed profound concern over the violence and announced an immediate halt to all classes across the municipality. Authorities are working closely with law enforcement to establish a full account of the events and deliver necessary assistance to affected families, educators, and pupils.
This violent episode represents the third fatal shooting at an educational facility in the country since June. Earlier incidents included a June attack at a central high school driven by a bullying dispute, and an August shooting at a Catholic junior high school in the south.
In the wake of Friday's tragedy, provincial leadership appealed to adult firearm owners to exercise greater caution regarding weapon storage. Officials emphasized that keeping firearms out of the reach of minors is essential for preventing future tragedies, noting that campus security cannot be expected to monitor thousands of students single-handedly.
Reporting based on coverage first published by BBC News. Read the original report at BBC News.
