BANGA, South Cotabato — For Arnel Villaruel, a father of six, the days following the September 18, 2026, shooting at Banga National High School have become a difficult test of love, sacrifice and resilience as he devotes himself to caring for his 14-year-old daughter, who was shot in the head during the incident.
His daughter, identified as “Jannel,” a Grade 9 student and resident of Purok Mahigugmaon, Barangay Cabudian, Banga, continues to recover at home after receiving medical treatment at the Cotabato Regional Medical Center (CRMC). However, the effects of the shooting remain severe, with the teenager reportedly losing her vision in one eye while her eyesight in the other has also become blurry.
For Villaruel, watching his daughter struggle through her recovery is a painful experience. Yet, amid the uncertainty surrounding her condition, he has chosen to remain by her side, putting his livelihood on hold to ensure she receives the care and attention she needs.
Although Jannel’s mother is also present at home, the teenager reportedly prefers her father to look after her. Villaruel personally assists his daughter with bathing and other daily activities as she adjusts to life with impaired vision.
The decision has come at a considerable cost to the family. Villaruel, who works as a carpenter, has temporarily stopped working to focus on his daughter’s recovery. His absence from work has deprived the family of its regular source of income at a time when the teenager continues to require medical attention and daily care.
As the fourth of six siblings, Jannel now faces the difficult process of recovering from a traumatic incident that has affected not only her physical well-being but also her everyday life.
Despite her condition, however, she continues to find ways to engage in activities she enjoys, including writing and drawing. These small but meaningful efforts reflect her determination to continue doing the things she loves while coping with the challenges brought about by her injury.
Her recovery remains ongoing, and the family is scheduled to return to CRMC in the coming weeks for follow-up consultations and medical assessments. These appointments are important in monitoring her condition and determining the appropriate care she will need moving forward.
For the Villaruel family, however, the road to recovery carries both medical and financial challenges. With the father’s carpentry work suspended and the daughter’s need for continued treatment, meeting everyday expenses has become increasingly difficult.
Villaruel is appealing to individuals, organizations and other people willing to help provide assistance for Jannel’s daily needs and continuing medical consultations.
The family’s openness to receiving assistance underscores the difficult circumstances they face as they try to support the teenager’s recovery while managing the loss of their regular income.
Beyond the immediate medical concerns, Jannel’s situation highlights the lasting consequences that school shootings can have on victims and their families. The effects extend beyond the day of the incident, bringing prolonged recovery, changes in family responsibilities and financial uncertainty.
As Jannel continues her recovery at home in Barangay Cabudian, her father’s sacrifice remains central to her care. For now, Villaruel has set aside his tools and livelihood to be the person his daughter needs most as she faces the long and uncertain process of healing.