ILOILO – A stabbing incident involving two junior high school students at San Joaquin School of Fisheries (SJSOF) has exposed critical gaps in campus safety and student protection, prompting the Department of Education (DepEd) – Schools Division of Iloilo to swiftly implement stricter security protocols in public schools across the province.
The July 2 incident, in which a 15-year-old student was stabbed in the abdomen by a 13-year-old classmate allegedly due to bullying, has laid bare potential lapses in school safety and student conflict management systems.
Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Ernesto Servillon Jr. conducted an on-site assessment at SJSOF the following day and vowed full support from the division office.
“We assure all stakeholders that our actions strictly adhere to the DepEd Child Protection Policy and the Zero Tolerance Policy against violence in schools,” he stated.
The division has since rolled out immediate security measures in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP), including random bag inspections, a ban on dangerous items, and enhanced campus patrols.
Anti-bullying and conflict-resolution programs are also being reinforced in all grade levels.
DepEd-Iloilo vowed to work closely with the PNP to prevent similar incidents.
In a statement, DepEd-Iloilo expressed deep concern and stressed that the safety, recovery, and mental well-being of all students, parents, and staff remain a top priority.
Trauma counseling and debriefing sessions have been made available, and Alternative Delivery Modalities (ADM) are now being used to ensure affected learners continue their education without disruption.
The stabbing occurred on school grounds while the victim was reportedly tending to plants. According to San Joaquin Police Chief Capt. Chrysler Jhon Ledesma, the suspect confronted the victim due to an alleged history of bullying.
The confrontation escalated into a fistfight before the younger student drew a knife from his bag and stabbed the victim.
The injured student was first brought to San Joaquin Mother and Child Hospital, then transferred to Iloilo City for further medical care.
The 13-year-old suspect is currently under the custody of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) and the local police, in accordance with child protection protocols.
DepEd-Iloilo has called on the public to avoid speculation and to respect the privacy of the minors involved while it continues its investigation and response./PN
