A shooting incident occurred on Friday, September 18, at Banga National High School in South Cotabato, located in the southern Philippines. Provincial Governor Reynaldo Tamayo confirmed that at least one person was killed and four others were injured in the attack. The Department of Education (DepEd) acknowledged the incident, expressing deep concern and announcing their coordination with local authorities to investigate and provide assistance.
The Department of Education also stated that its immediate priority is the safety and well-being of students, teachers, and school personnel. They are prepared to offer psychological first aid and mental health and psychosocial support to those affected by the shooting. DepEd's Region XII office urged the public to refrain from sharing videos of the incident to protect victims' privacy and prevent further trauma.
This event follows two other recent school shootings in the Philippines. On June 22, two students opened fire at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, killing three schoolmates and injuring approximately 20. Another incident on August 18 saw a student shoot and kill a schoolmate at Ateneo de Zamboanga University's junior high school building. These incidents highlight a concerning trend of school violence in a region where such occurrences were previously rare. Philippine police are currently verifying more details regarding the motive behind the latest shooting.
