At least three people were killed and six others injured in a shooting at a school in South Cotabato, southern Philippines, on Friday, according to provincial Governor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr, Xinhua reported.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) had earlier reported six deaths and 17 injuries in the incident, but later retracted the figures.
Tamayo said he was still awaiting an updated report from police and would share further details with the public once they became available.
Preliminary investigations found that the 16-year-old suspect was believed to be among those killed after reportedly shooting himself. The incident took place at about 1.18pm at a high school in the municipality of Banga, South Cotabato.
A local official said the suspect allegedly took a firearm from a safe at his home before sitting with his friends and telling them to go home because, “after lunch, I will carry out my plan”.
Local media reports said the motive for the shooting had yet to be established.
The injured victims were taken to hospital for treatment, while police secured the scene and launched an investigation. All classes across the municipality were immediately suspended at every level.
Friday’s incident marked the third deadly school shooting in the Philippines since June.
Two previous campus shootings, in Tacloban City on June 22 and Zamboanga City on Aug 18, resulted in several deaths and sparked widespread concern among the public.
