Three Students Killed, Eight Injured In Philippines School Shooting

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Manila: The shooting at Banga National High School in South Cotabato, the southern Philippines, on Friday left three students dead and eight injured, including a suspected 16 years old gunman who turned the weapon on himself. 

According to Banga Mayor Albert Palencia, the victims were all Grade 9 students between the ages of 14 and 17. Prior to the attack, the suspect allegedly warned friends that they should go home because he planned to carry out a shooting after lunch, but his friends allegedly disregarded the warning because they thought he was joking.

The student allegedly left his classroom after lunch, opened fire on students in a next classroom, and then committed suicide. Authorities secured the school grounds while emergency workers attended to the injured. Following the event, classes were suspended throughout the municipality of Banga.

After incidents in Tacloban and Zamboanga, this is the third fatal school shooting in the Philippines since June. In the past, school shootings were comparatively uncommon in the nation.

While officials continue to look into the most recent attack, South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo advised gun owners to store their weapons safely and keep minors away from them.

Photo Credits: Philippine Red Cross/Facebook