By Gabriela Baron
A 13-year-old student died after he was stabbed by his classmate inside Culiat High School in Quezon City early Friday morning, Jan. 20.
According to authorities, the 15-year-old suspect awaited the victim inside the classroom and stabbed the victim in the stomach using a knife he hid in his bag.
Probers are looking at bullying and jealousy as a possible motive for the attack.
Authorities are investigating if the school is liable and if there was a lapse in security after the knife used in the crime got through.
The suspect is now under the custody of the Philippine National Police.
‘Deeply saddened and disturbed’
The Department of Education-National Capital Region (DepEd-NCR) said it is “deeply saddened and disturbed” after the fatal stabbing incident.
“We are deeply saddened and disturbed that violent incident such as this happened among our students inside the school which is supposed to be a safe place,” DepEd-NCR said in a statement released Friday.
“In this aftermath of this violent incident inside the school, DepEd-NCR enjoins school administrators, teachers, non-teaching personnel, parents, students, and all stakeholders to work together in raising and educating children to become peace-loving and responsible members of the community,” it added.
The DepEd-NCR said the students who witnessed the said incident “already went psychological first aid” and assured that follow-up stress debriefing will be administered to students and teachers who witnessed the incident.
It also vowed to provide assistance to the family of the victim.
Meanwhile, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said she has already ordered concerned offices of the city government to extend assistance to the victim’s family and assured that a thorough investigation will be conducted.
“The School Division Office is requested to review security protocols in schools and implement additional measures if warranted to avoid a repeat of such incident,” Belmonte said. With a report from Kenneth Paciente
