By Alec Go
The Quezon City government is set to implement stricter security measures in all its public schools following the Culiat High School stabbing incident involving a high school student.
The additional security measures will include random security checks and preemptive measures like the placement of more security cameras, values-formation programs, and having additional public schools guidance counselors.
“While we consider this an isolated case, the incident underscored the need to come up with additional security interventions in our public learning institutions,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said after a meeting with law enforcers, social workers, and with the education sector.
“Kailangan nating paigtingin ang seguridad sa ating mga paaralan upang hindi na maulit pa ang insidente na nangyari sa Culiat High School,” she continued.
The City Department of Public Order and Safety will also look at the implementation of schools’ contingency and crisis management plans.
Belmonte also instructed barangays to propose and fund out-of-school youth programs.
Citing data from the Quezon City Police District, the city government said most children in conflict with the law (CICL) cases in 2022 were rape and theft, with 87.5% of the crime committed by 15- to 17-year-olds.
Also recommended was a unified referral system on handling CICL cases, which will identify CICL cases, the proper authority to handle it, and the process and intervention. – gb
