Three people, including a Grade 9 student identified as the alleged gunman, were killed while eight others were injured in a shooting at Banga National High School in South Cotabato on Friday, September 18, authorities said.
The fatalities included the 16-year-old suspect and two 14-year-old students, according to Banga Mayor Albert Deocades Palencia. The Philippine National Police said the shooting happened at around 1 p.m. inside the school in Barangay Benitez.
“The PNP is currently verifying the full details of the incident, including the identities and conditions of those involved and the circumstances surrounding the shooting,” PNP chief PGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said.
Palencia said the student had allegedly warned several classmates after lunch to leave the school because he had something to do and they might get involved. His classmates reportedly dismissed the warning as a joke.
Around five minutes later, the student allegedly left his classroom and fired at students in a nearby classroom and along a corridor. He reportedly did not fire inside his own classroom.
The injured students were rushed to hospitals for treatment, with some reportedly in critical condition. The local government said they could be transferred to private hospitals if necessary to ensure they received immediate medical attention.
The suspect also sustained a fatal gunshot wound after turning the firearm on himself. He was brought to a hospital but could not be revived.
According to the mayor, the weapon was a 9mm pistol with a double-column magazine. He said the firearm was allegedly owned by the suspect’s father, an employee of the Department of Education in Region 12, and had been kept inside a vault.
Palencia said the student allegedly broke open the vault, took the firearm and brought it to school. He also reportedly had previous experience handling firearms after practicing shooting with his father. Authorities have yet to determine how the weapon was brought onto the school campus.
The mayor said the student had two magazines. After firing one, he allegedly reloaded the weapon before using it to shoot himself.
Authorities have not released an official number of shots fired as the investigation continues.
Banga National High School has more than 3,000 students, according to Palencia. He said the campus had only one security guard assigned to inspect students, while the available security equipment was not sufficient to screen such a large number of learners.
Palencia said he had discussed the security concern with the schools division superintendent and suggested involving class advisers in student inspections.
Classes in both public and private schools across Banga were suspended following the shooting. The suspension was also extended to Monday as the mayor planned to meet with school officials to discuss additional security and preventive measures.
The motive for the shooting has not been established.
Palencia said the suspect’s mother had reportedly been considering having her son undergo a psychiatric evaluation after noticing unusual behavior and after he failed to attend school the previous day.
Investigators also reportedly found indications that the student had been involved in an online “True Crimes Community.”
Authorities are examining whether his online activities had any connection to the shooting and are reviewing his accounts to determine the extent of his involvement.
Palencia said there were no confirmed reports that the student had been bullied. He described the boy as a member of a special class and a taekwondo athlete.
The mayor also said a relative reported that the student had become distressed after receiving a grade of 76, although authorities have yet to establish whether this had any connection to the incident.
Police are likewise checking reports that some of the student’s friends may have had prior knowledge of his alleged plan. One neighbor reportedly told Palencia that the neighbor’s child had wanted to skip school because the student allegedly had something planned.
The Banga shooting comes less than a month after a deadly incident at Ateneo de Zamboanga University, where a Grade 9 student allegedly shot a Grade 10 student before taking his own life. Another school shooting in Tacloban City in June left three students dead and several others injured.
Authorities continue to investigate the Banga incident, including the source of the firearm, the circumstances surrounding the shooting and the possible factors that may have contributed to the attack.