South Cotabato school shooting leaves 3 dead

A shooting incident at the Banga National High School in South Cotabato occurred on Friday, Sept. 18, leaving three dead, the Department of Social Welfare and Development said.

"Sa updated na ulat ngayong 5PM, tatlo (3) na mag-aaral ang kumpirmadong nasawi at patuloy pang kinukumpirma ang bilang ng mga sugatan. Magpapatuloy ang koordinasyon ng DSWD sa LGU ng Banga at paaralan para sa kaukulang suporta sa mga bata at pamilyang biktima ng insidente," it wrote on Facebook.

South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. also confirmed the news, saying that one of the deceased was the shooter himself. He added that six others are injured.

According to him, the final investigation result has yet to be given, but based on initial reports, the gunman shot himself after firing at his classmates.

Citing the suspects best friend, Tamayo said that the student was active in an online group focused on gun games.

He said it pains him that a shooting incident has occured in a "fully-guarded" school funded by the government.

Addressing the parents, he said that they shouldn't leave firearms unattended.

"Sana huwag niyong hayaan na open sa mata at access ng bata yung mga baril na meron kayo. Dapat maging responsable kayo dahil may mga pananagutan yung mga magulang dito. Easy access pala sa mga bata—hindi magandang ehemplo ito at hindi magandang sitwasyon sa komunidad na may mga bata," Tamayo said.

DILG Sec. Jonvic Remulla, meanwhile, said that the student-gunman appeared to have taken the gun from his father, who is an employee of the LGU.

“His father is an employee of the LGU. He is the disaster risk officer. It appears that the gun belongs to him,” Remulla told ABS-CBN News.

Banga Mayor Albert Palencia also confirmed in a separate radio interview that the suspect had taken the gun from a home safe.

He said the grade nine student had warned two friends of his plan to do it "right after lunch."

Police have yet to confirm the age of the shooter.

Agencies respond

In an earlier statement, DSWD said that it is coordinating with the local government unit of Banaga and social workers are present at the hospital where injured individuals were brought.

"The DSWD stands in solidarity with the families and the community of Banga and remains committed to providing the care, protection, and support they need to recover and move forward," it wrote.

Meanwhile, the Department of Education said it is "deeply concerned" by the reported shooting incident in South Cotabato.

"Our immediate priority is the safety and well-being of our learners, teachers, and school personnel. We are closely coordinating with the Schools Division Office, Regional Office, local authorities, and law enforcement to verify the circumstances and provide necessary assistance," it said in its statement.

Both agencies promised that they will provide "psychological first aid and mental health and psychosocial support to those affected."

"We urge everyone to remain calm and refrain from sharing unverified information as authorities continue their investigation," DepEd wrote.

The Philippine National Police in a statement said that it is still verifying the details of the incident, including the identities and conditions of those affected. More details will be released once confirmed.

Friday's shooting comes one month to the day after a student livestreamed himself shooting a schoolmate dead before taking his own life at another school in Mindanao.

Live shooter drills were conducted across the Philippines this month to strengthen security.

Palencia said on Friday the Banga shooter's parents were involved in the drills there.

Classes at the Banga National High School have been suspended on Monday. (with reports from AFP)