BANGA, South Cotabato — A shooting inside Banga National High School in Barangay Benitez, Banga, South Cotabato, left at least two people dead and four others injured Friday afternoon, September 18, as terrified teachers and students reportedly locked themselves inside classrooms and offices while gunfire erupted within the campus.
The incident, which occurred shortly after noon, triggered an immediate police and security response, with patrol vehicles rushing into the school grounds as successive gunshots were heard.
Initial reports indicated that several students were among those hit. Earlier information from the scene placed the number of injured at five, including an alleged male suspect who was brought to the South Cotabato Provincial Hospital after reportedly shooting himself. A later update, however, reported two fatalities and four injured victims. Authorities were still validating the identities and circumstances surrounding the casualties as of press time.
Most of the victims were reportedly around 14 years old. Initial information identified three male students and one female student among those injured.
The shooting sent students and teachers scrambling for safety, with some reportedly hiding inside classrooms and offices as the gunfire continued.
Accounts circulating from students also claimed that the alleged shooter appeared to be an outsider because he was not wearing the school’s uniform. That detail, however, had not been officially confirmed by authorities.
Video and eyewitness accounts from the area showed the immediate security response following the shooting, with police patrol cars entering the campus and authorities securing areas around the school.
A semi-automatic pistol with its magazine detached was also reportedly recovered on a concrete walkway inside the school grounds. A slipper and what appeared to be bloodstains were visible near the firearm in photographs taken at the scene.
Security personnel, including an Armed Forces of the Philippines member, were seen securing and documenting the area. The firearm was left in place as investigators processed the scene and worked to preserve possible evidence.
Authorities are expected to subject the recovered firearm to forensic and ballistic examination as part of efforts to establish who owned or used the weapon and reconstruct the sequence of events.
The identities of the victims and the alleged shooter, as well as the circumstances that led to the shooting, had not been fully released as of press time.
South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo S. Tamayo Jr., Schools Division Superintendent Leonardo Balala and Banga Mayor Palencia were reported to have proceeded to the school to personally monitor the situation and the condition of those affected.
Tamayo also appealed to the public to remain calm while authorities respond to the incident and investigate what happened.
The Department of Education confirmed that a shooting incident involving the use of firearms had occurred at Banga National High School. DepEd said its immediate priority was the safety and well-being of learners, teachers and school personnel and that it was coordinating with local authorities and law enforcement to verify the circumstances and provide assistance.
DepEd Region XII likewise urged the public to stop circulating videos of the incident, citing respect for the victims and their families and the potential trauma and privacy concerns arising from the distribution of such material.
The shooting comes amid heightened public concern over violence in schools following other school shooting incidents in the Philippines this year, including a June 22 attack at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City that killed three students and wounded about 20 others, according to the Philippine Information Agency.
For now, authorities are focused on securing the school, accounting for those affected and determining exactly what happened before, during and after the gunfire.
Investigators are expected to establish the identity of the shooter, determine how the firearm entered the campus, identify the victims, and determine the circumstances that led to the deadly confrontation.
Authorities have urged anyone with information relevant to the investigation to coordinate with the Banga Municipal Police Station.
This is a developing story. Casualty figures, identities and other details remain subject to official verification.