A 16‑year‑old shooter opened fire at Banga National High School in the southern province of Mindanao, killing two 14‑year‑old pupils and injuring eight other students before turning the gun on himself.

Albert Palencia said four of the injured remain in critical condition.

The Philippines Red Cross was alerted at 14:00 local time and dispatched an ambulance with four paramedics to provide emergency care.

Police are at the site investigating the shooting, and disaster‑management officials announced that classes have been suspended at all levels across the municipality of Banga.

School shootings in the Philippines

The Banga incident is the third deadly school shooting in the Philippines since June 2026, a country with one of the highest regional rates of gun ownership.

While school shootings are generally rare, the Philippines has recorded three fatal incidents in the past four months, including a June attack linked to a bullying grievance and an August shooting at a Catholic junior high school.

Official response and safety measures

The Department of Education said it was deeply concerned, prioritising the safety of learners, teachers and staff while coordinating with authorities to verify facts and provide support.

South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo urged adult gun owners to store firearms responsibly and to prevent minors from accessing them, calling for collective action to address the problem.