Video: Students flee deadly school shooting in the Philippines

On September 18, 2026, a shooting occurred at Banga National High School in Banga town, part of South Cotabato province in the southern Philippines. The incident resulted in the deaths of three students and injuries to eight others, with four critically injured. All victims were between the ages of 14 and 17, including the suspected shooter who was a 16-year-old student who later killed himself. Mayor Albert Palencia stated that prior to the shooting, the suspect had warned classmates about his plans but they did not take him seriously.

This is the third deadly school shooting in the Philippines since June, with previous incidents occurring in Zamboanga and Tacloban. The Department of Education expressed deep concern over student safety and emphasized the need for immediate verification from authorities to provide necessary support. Governor Reynaldo Tamayo urged parents to secure firearms away from minors, highlighting existing regulations on gun ownership that include background checks and psychological evaluations.