Two Students Killed in Philippine School Shooting, Teen Suspect Dies by Suicide

Two students killed in Philippine school shooting; teen suspect dies by suicide, officials confirm. Tragic incident sparks calls for gun safety.

Editorial Desk

September 18, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Banga, South Cotabato, Philippines — A tragic school shooting in the southern Philippines left two students dead and eight others injured, with a 16-year-old suspected gunman killing himself after opening fire, according to local authorities.

The victims, all between the ages of 14 and 17, were students at a school in Banga town, South Cotabato. Four of the injured are in critical condition, as reported by Mayor Albert Palencia, who detailed the events leading up to the attack.

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The suspect reportedly told his classmates to leave before lunch, joking about carrying out a plan, which they dismissed as a prank. However, after the break, he began shooting, hitting 10 students before taking his own life. This incident adds to a growing pattern of school-related violence in the country, including a similar case in Zamboanga last month and another in Tacloban in June. Despite strict gun laws, illegal firearms continue to circulate, prompting officials to urge parents to secure weapons from minors.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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