The Philippine government has expressed deep concern following a tragic shooting incident at Banga National High School, which left three dead and eight injured amid rising gun violence in the country.
The Philippine government’s education ministry has issued a statement in response to a shooting incident that occurred at Banga National High School in South Cotabato province on Friday afternoon. The ministry expressed that it is “deeply concerned by the reported shooting incident.”
Despite the Philippines having strict gun laws, illegal firearms remain prevalent, contributing to a troubling rise in gun-related violence across the Southeast Asian nation.
On the day of the incident, a shooting spree at the school resulted in the deaths of three individuals, while eight others sustained injuries. Among the injured, four are reported to be in critical condition. The education ministry emphasized that the immediate priority is the safety and well-being of students, teachers, and school personnel.
In its statement, the ministry urged the public to remain calm and to refrain from sharing unverified information as authorities continue their investigation into the incident.
According to local reports, the shooting took place between 1 PM and 2 PM local time when a 16-year-old student opened fire on his classmates. After shooting ten students, the suspect reportedly turned the gun on himself. Emergency services were alerted around 2 PM and dispatched an ambulance with four paramedics to the scene.
Local authorities have identified the shooter as a ninth-grade student at Banga National High School. Tragically, he was among the three fatalities in the incident after taking his own life following the attack.
Banga Mayor Alberta Palencia revealed that the suspect had warned his friends during recess to go home, stating, “after lunch, he would be executing his plan.” His friends reportedly dismissed the comment, as he was known to be a joker. After lunch, however, he proceeded to carry out the attack.
Reynold Tamato, the governor of South Cotabato province, noted that the shooter claimed to be a member of a “true crime community,” a statement that investigators are currently working to verify.
In the wake of the shooting, local authorities have launched an investigation to uncover the details surrounding the incident. Preliminary reports indicate that the shooting occurred around 1:30 PM, and the suspect is believed to have used a .45-caliber handgun. Investigators are focused on determining the motive behind the attack and how the suspect obtained the firearm.
Governor Tamato has called on gun owners to ensure that their weapons are securely stored and inaccessible to minors. “Gun owners, in particular, should see to it that our minors do not have access to them. We must be responsible in storing firearms,” he stated in a telephonic interview.
Despite existing strict gun laws, the prevalence of illegal firearms continues to pose a significant challenge in the Philippines, leading to numerous incidents of gun violence. Authorities are working diligently to address this ongoing issue.
As investigations continue, further details regarding the incident are awaited. The government remains committed to ensuring the safety of its educational institutions and the communities they serve, according to Reuters.