Three dead and eight injured in Philippines school shooting

Three people are dead after a school shooting in the southern Philippines, including two 14-year-old students and the 16-year-old gunman. At least eight others are reported to be injured.

Authorities say the gunman, a student at Banga National High School in South Cotabato, opened fire on students in a neighbouring classroom.

The school is located in the town of Banga, which is on the island of Mindanao.

This is the third school shooting incident in the Philippines since June.

The Governor of South Cotabato, Reynaldo Tamayo, said the two students killed were a boy and a girl. He added the gunman, also shot himself and died.

Officials say the teenager had warned friends after lunch that he was “going to do something” and told them to go home, but they thought he was joking.

The weapon used in the attack, believed to be a 9mm gun, reportedly belonged to the shooter’s father, a Department of Education employee, and had been stored in a locked vault.

The Mayor of Banga, Albert Palencia, told local media that police found posts made by the shooter in an online community, where young people involved in school shootings are "idolized". Quoting the boy's school adviser, Palencia said the mother of the boy wanted to bring him to a psychiatrist.