LIVE UPDATES: Banga National High School shooting probe

The shooter who was behind the deadly incident at the Banga National High School in South Cotabato was into the deep dark web, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Saturday.

"He was into deep dark web which influenced him," DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said.

"According to his phone, he left several notes detailing his depression at tuloy-tuloy ito (this went on). It was discovered in April 2026. Parents tried to handle the situation ngunit nagkulang (but it was not enough)," he said.

Remulla said the incident occurred at 1 p.m. Friday.

"Three children are confirmed dead," he said, saying two were students and one other was the shooter. Eight were injured.

"This is another incident and one too many. Again for the third time, an illegal gun was used which was not secured," Remulla said.

The DILG chief said the gun belonged to the shooter's father who is a disaster risk mitigation officer of the Department of Education (DepEd).

"May 3 licensed firearms ('yung ama). Hindi secured enough. Kinuha ng bata ang baril," he added.

(The father had three licensed firearms. These were not secured enough. The child took one gun.)

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. meanwhile conveyed condolences to the families of the fatalities.

"Ang PNP ay nakikiramay," he said.

(The PNP sends its sympathies.)

Nartatez said investigators are looking at the events and actions that have transpired before the shooting to determine what led the shooter to commit the crime.

"For one thing, hindi natin mabasa ang pag-iisip ng isang tao but we can investigate or look into the actions before these incidents," he said.

(For one thing, we cannot read the mind of one person but we can investigate or look into the actions before these incidents.)

Remulla meanwhile said police are looking into various personal effects of the shooter.

"Notes, cellular phone, other gadgets that we can subject to forensic investigation," he said.

"Record shows he's into heavy activities with the social media as well as internet activities showing violent activities," Remulla said.

The DILG chief advised parents to check on what their children are looking up on social media, and what websites they visit.

"Tingnan ninyo. It is not a privacy issue. Anak n'yo 'yan... Nalulublob sila sa malalalim at madidilim na websites," Remulla said.

(Look at those. It is not a privacy issue. That is your child... They are being drawn to deep and dark websites.) —KG, GMA News

The Department of Education (DepEd) on Saturday condemned the shooting incident that occurred at Banga National High School in Banga, South Cotabato on Friday and expressed sadness at the tragic loss of lives.

"The Department of Education deeply mourns the tragic incident at Banga National High School in Banga, South Cotabato, and unequivocally condemns this violent act," the DepEd said in a statement.

"Our hearts go out to the victims, their families, and the entire school community during this devastating time. We are outraged by this breach of campus safety and are taking all necessary steps to support those affected and ensure accountability," it added.

The DepEd said its officials were already in Banga to assist the victims and coordinate with local authorities and law enforcement in the investigation.

"DepEd officials are already on-site assisting the victims and coordinating closely with local authorities and law enforcement to investigate the full circumstances surrounding the incident," it said.

Meanwhile, the department deployed immediate intervention teams to provide comprehensive psychological first aid and mental health support to the students, families, and school staff.

The DepEd also appealed to the public to observe caution in sharing unverified claims or graphic media that could further add to the trauma of those affected.

"We call on the public to exercise utmost responsibility: please avoid spreading unverified claims or graphic media that only compound the trauma of those affected," the statement read.

"We remain unwavering in our commitment to securing our learning institutions nationwide," it added. —KG, GMA News

One of the students injured during a shooting incident at Banga National High School in Banga, South Cotabato on Friday is in critical condition at an intensive care unit at a hospital, a municipal official said Saturday.

"May nai-refer tayo sa Cotabato Regional and Medical Center sa Cotabato City kasi kritikal 'yon. Nasa ICU ngayon for further observation sa status ng isang pasyente," Banga Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office head Joseph Franco said in an interview on Dobol B TV.

(We referred one [injured] to the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center in Cotabato City because the student is in critical condition. The patient is now in the ICU for further observation.)

Meanwhile, three others were discharged from the hospital while three others were referred to private hospitals, he said.

"As of this time, ang mga victims natin ng pamamaril kahapon, may tatlo na tayong discharged. Nakalabas na kagabi as of 7:15. Naihatid na natin sa kani-kanilang mga bahay," Franco said.

(As of this time, of the victims of the shooting yesterday, three were already discharged. They were discharged [from the hospital] as of 7:15 p.m. They were already brought to their respective homes.)

"Then 'yung tatlo, nai-refer din from South Cotabato Provincial Hospital, nai-refer sa dalawang private hospital dito po sa Koronadal City," he added.

(Then three others who were referred from South Cotabato Provincial Hospital have been referred to two private hospitals in Koronadal City.)

Seven students were injured while three others were dead including the shooter in the Friday shooting incident, Franco said.

"Ang injured po is pito then 'yung dead natin, tatlo kasama ang shooter. Lahat po ito ay mga estudyante at saka Grade 9 students po," he said.

(Those injured were seven then there were three dead including the shooter. All of them are Grade 9 students.) —KG, GMA News