A 16-year-old student who allegedly opened fire at Banga National High School in South Cotabato had reportedly discussed his plan to carry out the attack as early as August, according to Banga Mayor Albert Palencia.
Palencia said the student had talked about the plan in a group chat with classmates and friends. The mayor said the suspect initially planned to execute the attack on Sept. 3, but it did not happen on that date.
On Sept. 18, the student allegedly told some of his classmates and friends to go home after lunch because he was going to execute his plan. Palencia said the classmates laughed because they thought the student was only joking.
The shooting began at about 1:15 p.m. on Sept. 18, according to the mayor.
The incident left three people dead, including the suspected shooter, while eight others remained hospitalized, according to reports from local officials.
South Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. also said the suspect was reportedly a member of an online “True Crime Community.” Tamayo said police were investigating the group and what was contained within it.
The governor separately urged parents to be responsible in securing firearms at home and preventing children from gaining access to guns.
The Banga shooting follows deadly school shootings in Tacloban City on June 22 and Zamboanga City on Aug. 18.
The three incidents have raised renewed concerns about school safety, firearm security and how authorities, schools, parents and students can respond to warnings of possible violence.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the Banga shooting, including the suspect’s reported statements before the attack and his alleged membership in the online group.
