MANILA, Philippines — At least two people were killed in a school shooting in the southern Philippines on Friday, a regional disaster agency worker told AFP, the country's third deadly campus incident since June.
Local rescuers received a call about gunfire on the campus of Banga National High School in South Cotabato province in Mindanao at about 1:30 p.m. (0530 GMT).
"From what I know, they are both students. There's really no complete details as of now," disaster agency worker Rolly Aquino said of the two victims, adding that at least seven people were being treated in hospital.
It was not immediately clear how many shooters were involved.
"For now, we are trying to let our fellow citizens know that the situation is stable and the case is contained," said South Cotabato provincial governor Reynaldo Tamayo.
"We never thought that this would happen."
In a video posted to Facebook and confirmed by AFP, a man can be seen carrying what appears to be a wounded child from the school, rushing him into the sidecar of a waiting motorbike.
In another, a teacher speaking in a local dialect can be heard saying that there were two shooters, with a student insisting they were outsiders.
Nationwide live shooter drills were conducted this month to strengthen security following two rare school shootings that shook the Philippines in the past few months.
The Department of Education (DepEd) offices in South Cotabato initiated coordination with law enforcement following the reported shooting.
In an official statement on Friday, DepEd confirmed that its immediate priority was the safety and well-being of learners, teachers, and school personnel.
The department stated that it was working alongside the Schools Division Office, Regional Office, local government, and police to verify the circumstances and extend needed assistance.
"We are also ready to provide psychological first aid and mental health and psychosocial support to those affected," DepEd said.
Addressing the public, the agency appealed for calm and requested that people refrain from sharing unverified information while the investigation remains underway.
"The safety of every learner and member of the school community remains our foremost priority," the department added.
