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South Cotabato School Shooting Leaves Three Dead and Six Wounded

A shooting at Banga National High School in South Cotabato resulted in three fatalities and several injuries, prompting investigations and calls for improved school safety measures.

19 September 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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South Cotabato School Shooting Leaves Three Dead and Six Wounded — Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

On September 18, a shooting incident occurred at Banga National High School in South Cotabato, resulting in the deaths of at least three students and injuries to six others. The Department of Education (DepEd) confirmed the incident, which took place shortly after 1 p.m. local time.

Authorities indicated that the fatalities were declared dead upon arrival at a local hospital. Sources report varying casualty figures, with some indicating as many as eight wounded.

Banga Mayor Albert Palencia provided updates on the situation to local media, confirming the number of deaths and injuries. The incident is described as the third fatal school shooting in the Philippines this year.

Archive photo: South Cotabato School Shooting Leaves Three Dead and Six Wounded — Archive photoPhoto: fabola · Flickr · BY-SA

Following the shooting, Governor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. addressed the public, emphasizing the need for precise information amidst circulating reports. The tragedy has sparked calls for reforms aimed at preventing such incidents in the future.

In the wake of the tragedy, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. condemned the shooting and directed relevant agencies to assess the adequacy of school security measures throughout the country. The DepEd has announced that it will conduct an investigation into the shooting and expressed condolences to the victims' families and the school community.

In response to the emotional impact of the event, the provincial government is considering deploying trained psychological personnel to support students, teachers, and parents affected by the incident. Additionally, other local governments, like Iloilo City, are reviewing their school security protocols as a precaution.

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