Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos Jr. has assured to personally monitor the case of Saint Paul University Philippines student Althea Vivien Mendoza, who was shot by a fellow student on Monday, Nov. 13, at the parking lot of the Tuguegarao City, Cagayan school campus.
“I was appalled by the viral video showing Saint Paul University-Tuguegarao student Althea Vivien Mendoza being shot and beaten by another student inside their school campus,’’ Abalos said.
Investigation disclosed that the school’s security guard and library staff heard Mendoza shouting for help inside a parked car.
Mendoza, who is a third year medical technology student, alighted from the vehicle with the suspect identified as Kristian Rafael Ramos chasing her moments later armed with a gun.
With the violent incident, Abalos promised to “talk to our educators to find out how we can better ensure the safety of children inside their campuses.’’
“Hopefully, our schools can find better ways to detect troubled or disturbed individuals so that they can intervene sooner,’’ he added.
The DILG chief also appealed to the public to exert intense efforts to put an end to violence against women and children for a humane and safer society.
Mendoza was brought to the Cagayan United Medical Doctors Hospital where she is undergoing treatment.
On Nov. 10, Sheen Manalo, 13, and Mary Nicole Picar, 15, students of Signal Village National High School (SVNHS) in Taguig City were found dead inside the Girls Scout Mini Office on the third floor of the school’s Magsaysay Building.
The Taguig City police said it will continue to investigate the death of Manalo and Picar.
Earlier, the Taguig City police and Southern Police District (SPD) noted that the autopsy report on the two students showed no foul play as of Nov. 13.