At least three students dead in Philippines school shooting

At least three students have been killed in a school shooting in southern Philippines, according to the country's Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The dead included the suspected gunman, who turned the gun on himself.

Another six have been injured in the incident in South Cotabato, which is the third school shooting in the country since June.

The mayor of the Banga town says the gunman had earlier told his school friends to go home as he was prepared to execute his shooting plan after lunch.

South Cotabato's governor Reynaldo Tamayo urges parents to ensure guns are kept out of reach of minors. He says the gun-owners need to be responsible in storing firearms.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development has retracted an earlier statement of six dead and 17 injured.