High school student stabs 2 classmates in Zamboanga after allegedly being bullied by victims
A Grade 11 student stabbed and injured two classmates who supposedly bullied him on Wednesday morning, July 1, inside a classroom at Cabaluay National High School in Zamboanga City.
According to a Philippine STAR report, initial police findings determined the victims, both 16, allegedly beat up the suspect, 17, in the classroom. A fistfight ensued. The suspect then drew a small kitchen knife wrapped in paper and stabbed the victims, per chief of the Zamboanga City Police Office Criminal Investigation Division Management–Special Investigation Unit Maj. Chester Natividad.
The victims were brought to Zamboanga Regional Medical Center for treatment. One was wounded in the left abdominal area; the other, in the lower back, left side of the head, and right arm. The suspect, who was also injured in the incident, was brought to the school clinic for treatment and then to the office of the guidance counselor. All three are reported to be in stable condition.
Based on the investigation, the victims had allegedly bullied the suspect before, according to police and barangay officials. Inquiries also found the victims had supposedly urged the suspect to smoke marijuana.
While police are looking into the suspected drug involvement, they are also determining how the suspect snuck the weapon inside the school.
In a statement released Wednesday, the DepEd Schools Division Office of Zamboanga City said it was on top of the situation.
"The school immediately took appropriate action to ensure the safety and security of all learners and personnel," the statement read.
"The Division Office is closely monitoring the situation and is working with the school administration to ensure that proper interventions, including support services for the affected learners and the school community, are provided," it continued.
In its statement, the Division Office urged the community to refrain from spreading unverified information and to let the authorities carry out their investigation.
In a separate statement, the Department of Education assured its office would extend "appropriate child protection measures, guidance services, and psychosocial support" to affected students and personnel "while fully observing due process."
Following the incident, DepEd has ordered all schools and field offices nationwide to strengthen their safety and child protection policies. The Department also urged a more robust coordination system with parents, local government units, and law enforcement agencies.
