Security tightened in P'sinan public schools

STA. BARBARA, Pangasinan, Philippines  – Security would be tightened in schools in the province and guidance counseling for students would be beefed up following the fatal stabbing of a 15-year-old high school junior by a 16-year-old schoolmate in their campus here last Wednesday.

School division superintendent Aurora Domingo told The STAR yesterday after visiting the school where the incident happened that she had instructed the teachers to check the bags of their students themselves before starting their classes as part of the security measures.

When the situation has calmed down, Domingo said teachers should call for a meeting with parents to discuss other measures that need to be adopted to prevent a repeat of the incident.

Domingo added that teachers must also take note of any signs of problems among their students based on their behavior in school.

The 16-year-old, a high school senior, stabbed the 15-year-old with a balisong outside the latter’s classroom during recess.

Meanwhile, Chief Inspector Bernet Nabunat, Sta. Barbara police chief, said the suspect is still in hiding. 

He said they are set to file the appropriate case against the teenager before the prosecutor’s office in Dagupan City although it is up to the prosecutor to determine if he already had discernment when he committed the crime.