4 charged for stabbing Grade 8 student

MANILA, Philippines — Four minors are facing criminal charges for stabbing a 13-year-old Grade 8 student in Las Piñas on Thursday night.

The suspects, aged 15 to 17, were arrested after they attacked the student in front of the Daniel Fajardo barangay hall along San Jose street.

Another suspect, a 16-year-old boy, remains at large.

Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin, National Capital Region Police Office director, said the victim met with his friends after classes and were about to buy a chocolate drink when they were approached by the juvenile suspects.

Without provocation, the suspects attacked them by hurling hollow blocks.

The suspects later took turns in stabbing the victim. They also targeted one of the victim’s friends, a 15-year-old Grade 10 student, who managed to run away.

The suspects fled on foot while the victim was rushed to a hospital where he remains in serious condition due to stab wounds on his back, neck and collarbone.

Four of the suspects were apprehended in a follow-up operation.

One of them is a 16-year-old Grade 8 student at Don Galo National High School in Parañaque while another is a 17-year-old alternative learning system student at Albert Aguilar National High School in Las Piñas.

The two other suspects, both 15 years old, are out of school youths.

Aberin said the suspects are housed at a Bahay Pag-asa center as they face charges of frustrated murder and attempted murder before the Las Piñas prosecutor’s office.

While children in conflict with the law are afforded rights, Aberin said these should never be mistaken as immunity from accountability.

“Violence that endangers life demands a swift, impartial and lawful response,” Aberin said in a statement.