Teen charged with classmate’s murder

MANILA, Philippines — Police filed a murder complaint against a 15-year-old boy who stabbed his classmate to death at a high school building in Quezon City on Friday.

Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director, said the boy underwent inquest proceedings before the Quezon City prosecutor’s office yesterday.

The suspect, a Grade 7 student at the Culiat High School, killed his 13-year-old classmate with a knife on Friday morning.

The victim was pronounced dead on arrival at the New Era Hospital from a stab wound in the chest.

Police have yet to establish the suspect’s motive in killing his classmate. Probers are initially looking at misunderstanding brought by jealousy as a possible motive for the attack.

Security protocol review

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte has requested the city’s Schools Division Office to review security protocols and implement additional measures if necessary to prevent a repeat of the fatal stabbing incident.

In a statement, Belmonte said they are extremely saddened and horrified by the incident.

“I have ordered concerned offices of the city government to extend the necessary assistance to the victim’s family. We also assure the victim’s family that a thorough investigation will be conducted,” she added.

Assistance

In a separate statement, the Department of Education regional office in the National Capital Region said it is “deeply saddened and disturbed” by the incident. The DepEd-NCR also vowed to provide assistance to the family of the deceased student.

“As reported by the Schools Division Office of Quezon City, the involved CICL (child in conflict with the law) student is under the custody of the authorities. Also, the students who witnessed the incident underwent psychological first aid,” the regional office said.

“The DepEd-NCR, through the Schools Division Office of Quezon City and Culiat High School, shall provide assistance to the family of the victim. The Regional Interim Learners Rights and Protection Section in coordination with the Division Child Protection Unit and the School Child Protection Committee shall come up with appropriate intervention mechanisms for the CICL student and shall facilitate his continuous education through alternative modes,” it added.

The regional office said follow-up stress debriefing sessions shall also be administered to students and teachers who witnessed the incident.

Meanwhile, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) NCR Union also extended its sympathy to Culiat High School over the incident.

ACT NCR Union president Ruby Bernardo expressed gratitude to the school administration for promptly acting on the incident and committing to take the necessary steps to provide counseling services for teachers and students.

“Quality education cannot occur in an atmosphere of anxiety, fear, and insecurity. As such, the inflicting of violence against any member of the school community, whoever the perpetrators are, needs to be condemned in the strongest terms. Actions and thorough investigation need to be taken immediately,” she said.

The group also committed to boost further its efforts in educating students on the consequences of bullying and school-related violence, as well as intensify efforts to foster a culture of dialogue, peace, respect for human rights and zero tolerance for violence.

“Consequently and in line with the promotion of schools as safe spaces and zones of peace, we hope that the unfortunate incident will not be exploited as a pretext for a blanket order to heighten police presence and interference in schools,” Bernardo said.