Six students killed and 17 injured in school shooting in the Philippines

Friday 18 - 11:27

By: Azzat Manal

Six students killed and 17 injured in school shooting in the Philippines

At least six students were killed and 17 others injured in a shooting at a secondary school in the southern Philippines on Friday, according to local authorities. Several of the wounded were reported to be in critical condition.

The incident took place at Panga National High School in South Cotabato province, on the island of Mindanao. The victims, all students, were reportedly between 14 and 17 years old. Emergency teams transported the injured to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Local officials said the suspected shooter, who was reportedly a teenager, died after turning the weapon on himself. Authorities have launched an investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the attack and determine how the firearm was obtained.

Panga Mayor Albert Palencia said four of the injured students were in critical condition. Earlier reports from police had initially placed the death toll at three before authorities confirmed that the number had risen.

South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo said investigators were also examining a claim that the suspect had been associated with a so-called true crime group. The allegation was reportedly raised by one of the suspect's close friends and had not been independently confirmed.

The shooting comes amid renewed concerns over violence in Philippine schools. In August, a student in Zamboanga was reported to have livestreamed a shooting inside a classroom that left another person dead before the attacker took his own life. In June, at least three students were killed and around 20 others wounded in a separate shooting at a public high school in Tacloban, where two students were reportedly involved.

The Philippines has relatively strict regulations governing civilian firearm ownership, including background checks and psychological assessment requirements. However, authorities continue to face challenges linked to the circulation of illegally acquired firearms.

Investigators are expected to examine the motive behind the latest attack, the suspect's access to the weapon and whether any warning signs were reported before the shooting.