Western Visayas schools to step up security after 2 stabbing incidents
By Tara Yap
ILOILO CITY – The Department of Education-6 has ordered public schools in Western Visayas to assess and review security measures following two recent stabbing incidents in Iloilo and Antique.
DepEd-6 OIC Regional Director Cristito Eco issued the directive to school divisions in Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, and Iloilo provinces as well as the capital of Iloilo City.
Division school superintendents or school principals can tap the police if it is necessary. “If there is a higher risk of violence, they can ask for police visibility,” said DepEd-6 Information Officer Hernani Escular Jr.
The first stabbing incident occurred between junior high school students of San Joaquin School of Fisheries (SJSOF) in San Joaquin town, Iloilo province last Wednesday, July 2.
The second incident was between four junior high school students of Antique National School in San Jose de Buenavista, the provincial capital, last Thursday, July 3.
Escular said on Saturday, July 5, that officials of both schools and the DepEd Schools Division are properly coordinating with the Philippine National Police (PNP) on the criminal investigation aspect.
Since the perpetrators are minors, they are under the custody of the respective Municipal Social Welfare and Development Offices (MSWDOs).
The DepEd has initiated psychosocial support not only to the victims and perpetrators but also to other students and staff who may have witnessed the stabbing incidents.