Three students killed, eight wounded in Philippines school shooting

Three students were killed and eight people wounded in a shooting at a school in the town of Banga, in the southern Philippine province of South Cotabato.

According to provincial officials, one of those killed was the 16-year-old suspected shooter. He later turned the gun on himself and died by suicide. Four of the wounded students were reported to be in critical condition.

Banga Mayor Albert Palencia said all the victims were between 14 and 17 years old. Before the incident, the suspect told friends that he would carry out his plan after lunch, but they took the remarks as a joke.

Palencia said the suspect opened fire on students after lunch, shooting 10 people before killing himself.

The incident has renewed concerns about school shootings in the Philippines. Two fatal shooting incidents have occurred at schools in the country since June. Last month, in Zamboanga, a student shot and killed another student in a classroom before dying by suicide.

In June, at least three students were killed and about 20 people wounded when two students opened fire at a public high school in Tacloban.

South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo urged parents to ensure that firearms are kept out of the reach of minors.