Three dead, eight injured in Philippines school shooting

Three people have been killed and eight others injured in a shooting at a high school in Banga, in the southern Philippine province of Mindanao.

Two of the victims were 14-year-old students, according to Banga mayor Albert Palencia. The 16-year-old gunman is also among the dead, while four of the wounded remain in critical condition.

The attack took place on Friday afternoon at Banga National High School.

The Department of Education said it was “deeply concerned” by the incident and stressed that its immediate priority is the safety and well-being of students, teachers and school staff. The ministry said it is working with authorities to confirm details and provide support, and urged the public to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information while the investigation continues.

This is the third fatal school shooting in the Philippines since June this year.

Mayor Palencia told Reuters that during a lunchtime conversation the gunman had told friends to go home, saying he would “execute his plan” after lunch. His friends laughed, believing he was joking as usual. After lunch he opened fire on students, wounding ten before killing himself.

Local disaster management authorities have suspended classes at all levels across the entire municipality of Banga.