16 Year Old Student Opens Fire at School in Philippines, 3 Killed

(Philippine Red Cross workers. Photo by BBC News)

Three people have been killed and eight injured in a shooting at a high school in Banga, southern Philippines on Friday.

Two of the victims were 14-year-old students.

The gunman, 16, was also killed.

Four of those injured are in critical condition.

The shooting happened at Banga National High School during lunch time.

According to the mayor, the gunman told friends before lunch that he would execute a plan after eating.

His friends thought he was joking since he was known for pranks.

He then opened fire on students, hitting 10 before killing himself.

Classes have been suspended across all levels in Banga municipality.

Police are investigating and the Red Cross provided emergency medical response.

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

In June, three students died in a shooting at another high school sparked by bullying.

In August, a student at a Catholic junior high school shot and killed a fellow student, then took his own life.

The Philippines has one of the highest gun ownership rates in the region.

Gun crime is common, but school shootings remain rare.

South Cotabato governor Reynaldo Tamayo urged adult gun owners to store firearms safely and keep them away from minors.

He said security personnel alone cannot monitor thousands of students and community cooperation is needed.