One person has been killed and four others injured in a shooting at a school in Banga town, South Cotabato, Philippines, with authorities investigating the incident.

South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo confirmed the shooting on Friday but did not provide further information about the victims or the suspected gunman.

Police also confirmed the incident but have yet to disclose details about the circumstances of the attack or identify the person responsible.

The Department of Education expressed concern over the shooting, particularly the safety of students and staff at the affected school.

The incident is the latest in a series of school shootings reported in the southern Philippines since June, despite such attacks having historically been relatively uncommon in the country.

Last month, a student in Zamboanga livestreamed himself shooting and killing another student inside a classroom before taking his own life.

In June, three students were killed and about 20 others injured after two classmates reportedly opened fire at a public high school in Tacloban.

The Philippines has relatively strict regulations governing firearm ownership, including background checks and psychological evaluations. However, authorities continue to face challenges involving the circulation of illegal firearms.

The Banga incident also follows a high-profile school shooting in Thailand in August, when a student reportedly opened fire at a school on the outskirts of Bangkok.