Manila: Fatal shooting by a gunman at Banga National High School in the southern Philippines on September 18, Friday left at least three people dead, including the suspected 16-year-old gunman and eight others are severly injured. The incident has raised fresh concerns ove rising gun culture and a series of school shootings in the country since June, where such attacks have historically been rare.
🚨 SHOOTING AT PHILIPPINE HIGH SCHOOL
A shooting at Banga National High School in South Cotabato left students dead and others injured, with casualty figures changing as authorities continue to investigate.
Classes were suspended as emergency teams responded to the scene.…
— Trend Rover (@TheTrendRover) September 18, 2026
Gunman opens fire after lunch
The shooting took place at around 1:30PM at Banga National High School in Banga town, South Cotabato province, on the island of Mindanao. Banga Mayor Albert Palencia told that the victims were aged between 14 and 17. He said the dead included the 16-year-old suspected shooter, although officials initially provided differing casualty figures as authorities worked to establish the exact toll.
Palencia said four of the eight injured students were in critical condition and had been rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. According to the mayor, the suspected gunman had told his friends before the shooting that he would carry out his plan after lunch. His friends reportedly did not take the statement seriously because he was known as a joker.
The mayor said that the suspect subsequently opened fire at students before turning the weapon on himself. Authorities are yet to establish the motive behind the attack. Police and security personnel are investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including how the suspected gunman obtained the firearm.
BREAKING: At least 6 dead, 17 seriously injured in South Cotabato, Philippines school shooting, officials say.
“In an updated report, six students have been confirmed dead and 17 are seriously injured. The DSWD will continue coordinating with the Banga LGU and the school to…
— AZ Intel (@AZ_Intel_) September 18, 2026
Philippine Government urges citizens to stay calm & refrain from spreading fake news
The Philippine Department of Education urged the public to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information while authorities verify the details. “Our immediate priority is the safety and well-being of our learners, teachers and school personnel”, the department said, adding that it was coordinating with authorities and providing support following the incident.
Classes were suspended at all levels across the municipality of Banga following the shooting. The Philippine Red Cross also deployed medical teams to assist in the emergency response. Videos reportedly circulated on social media following the incident, showing frightened students fleeing after gunshots were heard and injured people being taken for medical assistance.
Third school shooting since June; Spikes concern over rising gun culture
Friday’s attack is the latest in a series of school shootings reported in the Philippines since June. Last month, a student in Zamboanga reportedly live-streamed himself shooting and killing another student inside a classroom before taking his own life.
In June, two students opened fire at a public high school in Tacloban, killing at least three students and injuring around 20 others. Investigators reportedly believed that incident was linked to a grudge involving bullying.
The recurrence of school shootings has drawn particular attention because such attacks have historically been uncommon in the Philippines. The Philippines has relatively stringent regulations governing legal firearm ownership, including background checks and psychological evaluations for applicants. However, illegal firearms remain in circulation, contributing to broader concerns over growing gun violence.
