School shooting leaves at least six dead and many more injured after 16-year-old embarks in gun rampage in Philippines

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By SABRINA PENTY, FOREIGN NEWS REPORTER

Published: 09:21 BST, 18 September 2026 | Updated: 09:44 BST, 18 September 2026

A shooting at a school in the Philippines has left at least six people dead and several more injured. 

A gunman opened fire on the Banga National High School in South Cotabato on Friday afternoon before turning the gun on himself, according to local reports. 

At least 17 others were injured, four of whom are in critical condition, according to Banga town mayor Albert Palencia. 

All victims were students aged between 14 and 17, the mayor added.  

Local media had been reporting conflicting casualty figures, but the death toll was confirmed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, which has deployed social workers to provide victims with psychological support. 

The Department of Education said in a statement it was 'deeply concerned by the reported shooting incident.'

'Our immediate priority is the safety and well-being of our learners, teachers and school personnel,' the statement said, adding it was coordinating with authorities to verify the incident and provide necessary support.

'We urge everyone to remain calm and refrain from sharing unverified information as authorities continue their investigation,' the department added. 

 Footage on social media showed injured students being carried out of classrooms, while police footage showed the school's floors covered in blood as officers evacuated the building. 

A separate video showed terrified children reuniting with their families.

Emergency personnel walk at a site of a deadly shooting at a school in Banga, South Cotabato, Philippines, September 18, 2026

Pictured: Terrified children cry as they are reunited with their families following a shooting in the Philippines

It is the country's third deadly school incident since June.