Father’s Gun Used in Deadly South Cotabato School Shooting
SOUTH COTABATO – New details have emerged about the South Cotabato school shooting, including how the student reportedly obtained the gun used in the attack.
A Grade 9 student was identified as the gunman in a shooting incident at Banga National High School in South Cotabato, with authorities saying the firearm used belonged to his father, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said. During a press briefing on Saturday, September 19, Remulla said the student’s father works as a disaster risk mitigation officer under the Department of Education (DepEd).
According to the Interior secretary, the father had three licensed firearms stored inside a vault. The student was able to open the vault and take one of the guns.
“Mayroon siyang tatlong licensed firearms na hindi secured enough na nabuksan ng bata at kinuha ‘yung baril,” Remulla said.
The shooting took place at approximately 1 p.m. on Friday, September 18. The incident resulted in three deaths, including the student who allegedly carried out the attack. Two of the fatalities were students, while eight other individuals were injured.
A municipal disaster risk reduction official reported that one of the injured students was still in critical condition and receiving treatment in an intensive care unit as of Saturday morning.
Authorities also disclosed that the student had allegedly made statements to some of his classmates before the shooting. He reportedly advised them to leave the school after lunch, warning that he would do something that could endanger them. However, his classmates reportedly did not take the warning seriously and believed he was merely joking.
The student eventually left his classroom and proceeded to a nearby classroom, where he allegedly opened fire. He later turned the firearm on himself.
The incident has renewed concerns over the proper storage and security of firearms, particularly in homes where children may have access to them.
Remulla noted that the South Cotabato school shooting was already the third reported incident in which a firearm that was not adequately secured was used.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including how the student managed to access the firearm and the events that preceded the attack. The condition of the surviving victims is also being monitored as officials work to determine the full circumstances of the tragedy.
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