Philippines school shooting leaves at least one dead in South Cotabato

A shooting incident at Banga National High School in South Cotabato, Mindanao, has left at least one person dead and several others injured. The event occurred on Friday afternoon, prompting immediate intervention from local rescue personnel and the Philippine Red Cross, which deployed medical teams to the scene.

South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo confirmed one death and four hospitalisations in a statement to reporters. However, local media outlets have reported higher casualty figures, citing other Philippine authorities, creating a discrepancy in the official count. The identities of the shooter and the victims have not yet been confirmed, and it remains unclear whether the shooter is among the deceased or the injured.

The Department of Education stated it was "deeply concerned" by the incident, identifying the safety and well-being of learners, teachers, and school personnel as its immediate priority. The department is currently coordinating with authorities to verify details of the incident and provide necessary support.

In a bid to manage public information during the investigation, the Department of Education urged the public to remain calm and refrain from sharing unverified information. This advisory comes as police continue to investigate the shooting at the site.

Classes have been suspended across all levels in the entire municipality of Banga, according to local disaster management authorities. The suspension aims to ensure safety while the immediate aftermath of the incident is addressed.

Gun crime is not uncommon in the Philippines, which has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in the region, though school shootings remain rare. The incident marks the third deadly school shooting in the country since June, when three students were killed in a central Philippines high school shooting believed to be motivated by a grudge over bullying.