A 16-year-old gunman killed three students and injured eight at a high school in the Philippines, marking the third school shooting in the country in four months. The incident occurred at Banga National High School in South Cotabato, with victims aged 14 to 17.
The suspect, identified as 16, allegedly told friends to go home before carrying out the attack. Video footage shows the shooter carrying an injured child and a teacher speaking in a local dialect about two shooters. Classes were suspended across the municipality following the incident.
The Philippines has strict gun laws but illegal firearms remain in circulation. Authorities warn against leaving guns accessible to minors. The incident follows similar attacks in June and August, prompting nationwide security drills.
The incident follows a shooting in Thailand earlier this year where a student killed a classmate and took his own life. The Philippines has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in the region, with concerns over gun safety and school security.