A shooting occurs inside Banga National High School in Banga, South Cotabato, injuring students and prompting an emergency response on Friday afternoon. Early reports shared on social media show students being brought for medical treatment after gunfire at the school.
Outlets report differing casualty counts. One report says four students are injured, while others cite fatalities and larger injury figures. GMA News and Mint report two deaths and seven or four injuries, respectively. Inquirer.net separately reports at least three deaths with eight wounded, and another Inquirer report says three dead and eight hurt. GMA News also cites the Department of Social Welfare and Development as reporting six students killed and 17 injured. The Department of Education is also mentioned by Philstar as confirming a reported shooting.
Authorities describe the incident as happening around 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the town’s Barangay Benitez. One Inquirer account quotes the mayor as saying one of the deaths may be the shooter after turning the gun on himself, though the exact details vary across reports. Officials continue to assess the full number of victims and circumstances.
