Philippines school shooting leaves three dead and eight injured

Three students and a 16-year-old suspected gunman were killed in a shooting at Banga National High School in South Cotabato, southern Philippines, on Friday, September 18, 2026, according to provincial officials and local authorities. At least eight others were injured, with four in critical condition, as confirmed by multiple sources.

The attack, which occurred during lunchtime, marks the third deadly school shooting in the Philippines since June 2026, following incidents in Zamboanga and Tacloban. The suspected gunman, a student at the school, reportedly told friends to leave the building before opening fire, according to Banga Mayor Albert Palencia. “He said, ‘After lunch, I will be executing my plan,’” Palencia told Reuters. “His friends laughed because the shooter was a known joker.” The teenager allegedly shot 10 students before turning the gun on himself.

The weapon used in the attack, a 9mm firearm, belonged to the shooter’s father, a Department of Education employee, and had been stored in a locked vault, according to Euronews. The mayor also revealed that police found online posts by the shooter in an online community where young people involved in school shootings are “idolized.” Palencia cited the boy’s school adviser, noting that the shooter’s mother had sought to have him evaluated by a psychiatrist.

Local authorities confirmed the shooter acted alone, despite conflicting witness accounts of a “second shooter” and claims that attackers were “outsiders.” The incident has reignited debates over gun control and school safety, particularly in a region where such violence is rare but increasingly frequent. South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo urged gun owners to secure firearms, stating, “We cannot expect a handful of security personnel to monitor thousands of students.”

The Philippines maintains strict gun ownership regulations, including background checks and psychological evaluations, but illegal firearms remain in circulation. The shooter’s father, a Department of Education employee, has not been publicly identified, and investigators are examining whether the weapon’s storage violated existing laws.

Following the attack, classes were suspended in Banga, and emergency services responded to the scene. A video circulating online showed a teacher describing “two shooters” and a student claiming the perpetrators were “outsiders,” though officials have since clarified the incident involved a single perpetrator. The Philippine Red Cross and police are continuing their investigation into the shooter’s motive, which remains unclear.

This is the third school shooting in the Philippines since June 2026. In June, two classmates opened fire at a high school in Tacloban, killing three students and injuring about 20 others. A month prior, a student in Zamboanga live-streamed a shooting that resulted in the death of a peer before taking his own life. These incidents have prompted nationwide live shooter drills, but the latest attack underscores ongoing challenges in preventing such violence.

The investigation into the Banga National High School shooting is ongoing, with authorities examining the shooter’s online activity, the origin of the weapon, and potential gaps in gun control enforcement. The release of official findings could influence future legislative or operational changes, as communities in South Cotabato mourn the victims and seek clarity amid conflicting reports.

Victims and Timeline

Three students and a 16-year-old gunman were killed in the attack. Eight others were injured, with four in critical condition. The incident occurred on Friday, September 18, 2026, during lunchtime at Banga National High School in Banga, South Cotabato.

Previous Incidents

This is the third deadly school shooting in the Philippines since June 2026. In June, three students were killed and about 20 others injured in an attack at a public high school in Tacloban. A month prior, a student in Zamboanga live-streamed a shooting that resulted in the death of a peer before taking his own life.

Gun Laws and Enforcement

The Philippines has strict gun ownership regulations, including background checks and psychological evaluations, but illegal firearms remain in circulation. The weapon used in the Banga attack, a 9mm firearm, belonged to the shooter’s father, a Department of Education employee, and was stored in a locked vault. Authorities are investigating whether the storage complied with existing laws.