By Edwin Fernandez
KORONADAL CITY – Three students were killed, including the gunman, while six others were wounded after a shooting incident inside a school in Banga, South Cotabato on Friday afternoon, officials said.
The shooting transpired inside one of the classrooms of Banga National High School in Barangay Benitez at about 1:15 p.m.
“Police identified the gunman as a Grade 9 pupil who shot himself in the head after firing at his classmates,” South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. said in an interview with reporters following the incident.
According to Rolly Aquino, head of the South Cotabato provincial disaster risk reduction and management council, as of 4 p.m., three were confirmed dead: two males and a female student.
The student-shooter reportedly used the 9mm Glock pistol owned by his father, who is a member of a local gun club.
Tamayo said police are still investigating the circumstances behind the incident.
“It pains me to see this happening in one of our schools,” he said, adding that the provincial government has set aside funds for security guards to keep schools safe.
Quoting a classmate of the suspect, Tamayo said the suspect is a member of an Internet community that engages in online games using firearms.
Classes have been suspended until further notice, he said. (PNA)
