Three Dead and Eight Injured in Philippines School Shooting
Banga, South Cotabato, Philippines — September 18, 2026 — Three people have been killed and eight others injured after a shooting at a high school in the southern Philippines, according to local officials and international media reports.

The incident took place at Banga National High School in South Cotabato on Friday afternoon. The victims were students between the ages of 14 and 17, according to Banga Mayor Albert Palencia. Two of those killed were 14-year-old students, while the third was the suspected 16-year-old shooter.

Eight Students Injured
Eight other students were injured during the shooting, with four reported to be in critical condition. Emergency responders and medical teams were sent to the school as authorities secured the area and began investigating the incident.

According to Mayor Palencia, the suspect had spoken with friends before the attack and reportedly told them to go home because he planned to carry out his attack after lunch. His friends reportedly did not take the statement seriously because they considered him a joker. He later opened fire on students before turning the weapon on himself.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the motive behind the shooting and how the teenager obtained the firearm.

Classes Suspended
Following the shooting, classes were suspended across the municipality of Banga. The Philippine Department of Education said it was deeply concerned about the incident and was coordinating with local authorities to verify the details and provide support to students, teachers and school personnel.

The department also urged the public to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information while the investigation continues.

Growing Concern Over School Shootings
The shooting has renewed concerns about school safety and young people’s access to firearms in the Philippines.

According to Reuters, this is the third deadly school shooting in the country since June 2026. In June, three students were killed and about 20 people were injured in a shooting at a high school in Tacloban. In August, another student was killed in a shooting at a school in Zamboanga City.

South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo urged gun owners to take greater responsibility for storing firearms and preventing minors from accessing them. He also emphasized that school security cannot depend only on a small number of security personnel.

As the investigation continues, authorities are working to establish the full circumstances of the attack, including the motive and how the weapon came into the teenager’s possession.

Sources
Reuters — Philippine teen kills two students, then himself in school shooting Read Reuters report
BBC News — Three dead, eight injured in Philippines school shooting
The National / Reuters — Three dead in Philippines school shooting, including gunman Read the report