DEVELOPING STORY: Three people are now dead following a shooting incident at Banga National High School in Banga, South Cotabato, on Friday afternoon, September 18.
South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo S. Tamayo Jr. earlier said five young people were affected in the incident, including four victims and the suspected gunman.
One of the student victims died while being treated at Surallah Hospital, while another student was declared dead on arrival at the South Cotabato General Hospital.
Meanwhile, school principal Dr. Arnel Gabuat confirmed that the suspected gunman also died after he reportedly shot himself following the attack.
The suspect was identified as Lucky Jeanrich Lope, a Grade 9 student of Banga National High School.
“Sa ngayon nasa isolated na ang kaso. So sa ngayon, hindi pa naibigay yung final na investigation report pero base sa aming nakita at narinig dito, lima ang affected na mga kabataan, apat ang naging biktima at isa yung suspect,” Tamayo earlier said.
The governor said the suspect reportedly shot himself after firing at the four victims.
“Ang suspect ay nagbaril din ng kanyang sarili after binaril niya ang apat. So ngayon ay andun lahat sa hospital pero medyo delikado ang kalagayan ng mga iilan sa kanila,” he added.
Police Regional Office 12 Director said the shooting occurred at around 1:30 p.m. on Friday. Initial police information indicated that the suspect used a .45-caliber pistol.
The four victims were initially transported to Surallah Hospital and the South Cotabato General Hospital. They were reportedly still alive upon arrival, although two later succumbed to their injuries.
Tamayo said authorities were still investigating the circumstances and possible motive behind the incident. He also said investigators had spoken with the suspect’s best friend, who reportedly told authorities that the student was a member of a true crime community.
“Ang inisya lamang na aming nakita ay nakausap namin yung best friend ng bata. Itong bata pala ay membro ng true crime community. So ito ay iniimbestigahan pa rin ating kapulisan,” Tamayo said.
With the latest fatalities, the incident has left three people dead and two others injured, although authorities have yet to release the complete identities and conditions of the surviving victims.
The Department of Education earlier said it was coordinating with local authorities and law enforcement to verify the circumstances of the shooting and provide assistance to those affected.
DepEd also urged the public to remain calm and refrain from sharing unverified information. DepEd Region XII separately appealed to the public to stop uploading, resharing, or commenting on videos of the incident to protect the privacy and well-being of the victims and their families.
Following the shooting, the Banga Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office announced the immediate suspension of classes at all levels across the municipality.
Police continue to secure the school and investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including its motive and the sequence of events leading to the deaths and injuries.
