A school in the Philippine province of South Cotabato was the site of a shooting attack on Friday, resulting in the deaths of at least six students. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reported that an additional 17 students were injured, some seriously. The youth who carried out the attack was among the deceased, having taken his own life.
Following the attack, the injured students were transported to hospitals while police secured the crime scene and began an investigation. Authorities have not yet released any information regarding the motive for the crime. As a result, local authorities have temporarily suspended classes across the entire community of Banga.
The Department of Education stated it is coordinating with local authorities and the police to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. Furthermore, the DSWD has deployed social workers to the area to provide psychological first aid and psychosocial support to the affected children and their families. The Department of Education has also announced corresponding aid measures for students, teachers, and school personnel.
