Cotabato school shooting survivor battles impaired vision

BANGA, SOUTH COTABATO, Philippines — A 14-year-old student wounded in the Sept. 18 shooting at Banga National High School is slowly recovering at home but continues to struggle with impaired vision more than a month after a bullet struck her head.

The student, identified only as “Gay,” lost sight in her left eye, while her right eye remains blurry because of the gunshot injury.

She was among six people wounded in the shooting, which left three students dead, including the gunman, who turned the gun on himself.

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READ: Student who fought off Banga school shooter: ‘I’ll do it again’

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Gay was rushed to Cotabato Regional and Medical Center for surgery after the attack. Following several weeks of treatment, she was allowed to return home to continue her recovery.

Her father, Arnel, said her condition had stabilized. Recently, she had shown some improvement in her ability to recognize bright colors through her right eye, a development he said had not been evident in the weeks immediately after surgery.

Doctors advised the family to return to the hospital in November for an evaluation of Gay’s eyesight and to determine the next steps in her treatment.

Work on hold

Arnel said his daughter had been sleeping well but still needed to lie on her side because of her head injury.

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On Monday, Gay received a visit from her teachers, the school principal and Bryan Pamonag, who was hailed as a school hero for confronting the gunman and helping prevent further harm to students.

Pamonag became emotional when he saw his wounded classmate.

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As Gay continues to recuperate at their home in Purok Mahigugmaon, Barangay Cabudian, Arnel has temporarily stopped working as a carpenter to care for her.

He helps his daughter bathe and attend to her daily needs, saying she wants him to look after her alongside her mother.

Her mother occasionally sells cooked food to supplement the family’s income, but Arnel’s decision to stay home has left the household without a regular source of earnings.

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Arnel said the family had received some assistance, including help with ambulance transportation, but continued to need financial support for daily expenses, medicines and follow-up medical consultations. /cb