6 Students Killed, 17 Injured in Philippine High School Shooting

MANILA, Sep 18: At least six students were killed and 17 others injured in a shooting at a high school in the southern Philippines on Friday, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The shooting took place at Banga National High School in Banga town, South Cotabato province. The suspected gunman, who was believed to be a student at the school, was among those killed, GMA Network reported.

Classes at all levels across Banga were immediately suspended following the incident, according to the Banga Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

The Department of Education said it was “deeply concerned” about the shooting and was coordinating with school officials, local authorities and law enforcement agencies to establish what happened and provide assistance to those affected.

“Our immediate priority is the safety and well-being of our learners, teachers, and school personnel,” the department said.

It added that psychological first aid, along with mental health and psychosocial support, would be made available to students, teachers and others affected by the incident.

The department also urged the public not to circulate unverified information while authorities investigate the shooting.

Authorities have not yet disclosed a possible motive for the attack.

The shooting comes about a month after a separate incident at Ateneo de Zamboanga University in the southern Philippines, where two students, including the student gunman, were killed in a shooting on Aug. 18.