South Cotabato School Shooting Kills Three

A 16-year-old student opened fire on classmates after lunch on a Friday at Banga National High School in South Cotabato, southern Philippines, then died by apparent suicide. Police cleared the building and secured the campus. Social workers and psychological responders were dispatched; students were removed from classrooms and reunited with families. Classes in Banga were suspended, and the Department of Education offered psychological support. Banga Mayor Albert Palencia said the shooting occurred after lunchtime. South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo said, "We are investigating the community and the circumstances that may have influenced this decision," and urged that firearms be kept from minors. Outlets disagree on casualties. A wire summary reports two students and the gunman dead and 8 to 10 injured. Nationthailand reports three dead, including the 16-year-old, and eight injured with four critical. Headtopics.com reports six dead and 17 injured with four critical, citing the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Victims were reported as ages 14 to 17. The suspect allegedly warned friends beforehand, and authorities are examining a possible link to an online True Crime Community. Multiple sources call this the third fatal school shooting in the Philippines since June. Police are investigating how the suspect obtained the firearm and what led to the attack.