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Metro Manila
Taguig public school denies failing to implement measures following death of Grade 10 student
Taguig public school denies failing to implement measures following death of Grade 10 student
The management of the Kapt. Jose Cardones Integrated School in Taguig denied that it failed to implement measures on the safety of students following the death of a Grade 10 student within the school premises on March 9.
“Nais linawin ng pamunuan na hindi nagkulang ang Kapt. Jose Cardones Integrated School sa pagpapatupad ng mga nararapat na hakbang upang matiyak ang kaligtasan at kapakanan ng mga mag-aaral. Ang paaralan ay may umiiral na mga programa at mekanismo na nakatuon sa mental health awareness, student welfare, at school safety na patuloy na ipinatutupad upang matulungan ang mga mag-aaral sa kanilang pangangailangan (The management would like to clarify that Kapt. Jose Cardones Integrated School did not fail to implement appropriate measures to ensure the safety and well-being of the students. The school has existing programs and mechanisms focused on mental health awareness, student welfare, and school safety that are being continuously implemented to help students with their needs),” the public school said in a statement.
Taguig police reported that the male Grade 10 student, 16, was found dead at about 6:30 a.m. at the covered court of the school located in Barangay South Signal Village, Taguig.
The incident was reported to the Taguig police’s Sub-station 6, which sent three police officers to the school for investigation.
The Schools Division of Taguig City and Pateros also issued a statement, saying, “The entire Schools Division of Taguig City and Pateros mourns the loss of our dearly departed learner of Kapt. Jose Cardones Integrated School. The sudden loss of life in a tragic way has shaken our core. Our sincerest sympathies to the bereaved family.”
“Rest assured that SDO TAPAT has been closely coordinating with LGU Taguig City, DepEd NCR, and the Central Office on intervention programs, such as Psychological First Aid for learners, teachers, and non-teaching personnel of the concerned school. This office also commits to intensify its efforts to closely monitor all schools and carry out preventive measures so that this tragic incident does not happen again, with the support of our partners,” it said.
The Taguig City government said "We grieve with student’s family, friends, classmates, and the entire school community for the loss of our student.”
“We have also directed the concerned authorities to conduct a thorough and swift investigation to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident. While initial indications suggest that the harm was self-inflicted, we will await the official findings to ensure that all facts are properly determined,” it said.
The Kapt. Jose Cardones Integrated School was opened in 1995 as the EM's Signal Village Elementary School Annex of the Signal Village Elementary School.
It was separated from EM's Signal Village Elementary School and became an independent school named Kapitan Jose Cardones Memorial Elementary School through Republic Act 9152 signed in 2001.
It was named after the late Barangay Captain Jose Cardones of South Signal Village.
In 2018, the school was renamed Kapt. Jose Cardones Integrated School through a Taguig City Council resolution.
Here is the official statement of Kapt. Jose Cardones Integrated School on the death of the Grade 10 student:
OPISYAL NA PAHAYAG NG PAARALAN
“Ang buong pamunuan ng Kapt. Jose Cardones Integrated School ay lubos na nakikiramay at nagpapaabot ng pakikidalamhati sa pamilya, mga kaklase, at mga kaibigan ng ating mag-aaral na may kaugnayan sa isang napakalungkot na insidente na nangyari sa loob ng paaralan.
“Ang pangyayaring ito ay nagdulot ng lubos na kalungkutan sa buong komunidad ng paaralan. Sa mga ganitong sitwasyon, mahalaga ang pagtutulungan, pag-unawa, at pagbibigay ng tamang suporta sa bawat isa upang malagpasan ang mabigat na sitwasyong kinakaharap ng lahat.
“Agarang kumilos ang pamunuan ng paaralan nang matuklasan ang insidente. Ang mga guwardiya ng paaralan at mga kinauukulang opisyal ay agad na nagsagawa ng paunang aksyon upang matiyak ang kaligtasan ng mga mag-aaral at ng buong komunidad ng paaralan. Ang pangyayari ay agarang iniulat sa mga kinauukulang awtoridad kabilang ang pulisya, barangay, mga opisyal ng lokal na pamahalaan at mga opisyales ng Department of Education upang maisagawa ang mga kinakailangang imbestigasyon at proseso alinsunod sa umiiral na mga patakaran.
“Matapos ang insidente, agad ding nagsagawa ng mga hakbang upang matulungan ang mga mag-aaral na nakasaksi o naapektuhan ng pangyayari. Sila ay inilipat sa hiwalay at ligtas na lugar sa loob ng paaralan upang mabigyan ng tamang atensyon at suporta. Ang Guidance Advocate ng paaralan, school nurse, at iba pang mga guro ay agad na tumulong upang mabigyan ng paunang psychosocial support ang mga mag-aaral.
“Nakipag-ugnayan din ang paaralan sa mga kinatawan ng City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWD), Dr. Anna Victoria Garcia-Panopio (Mental Health Program Medical Coordinator Taguig City Health Office), Division Nurses, at iba pang kaugnay na ahensya upang magsagawa ng debriefing at counseling para sa mga mag-aaral at kawani na naapektuhan ng insidente. Ang mga hakbang na ito ay isinagawa upang matulungan silang maproseso ang kanilang emosyon at mabigyan ng wastong gabay sa pagharap sa sitwasyon.
“Nais linawin ng pamunuan na hindi nagkulang ang Kapt. Jose Cardones Integrated School sa pagpapatupad ng mga nararapat na hakbang upang matiyak ang kaligtasan at kapakanan ng mga mag-aaral. Ang paaralan ay may umiiral na mga programa at mekanismo na nakatuon sa mental health awareness, student welfare, at school safety na patuloy na ipinatutupad upang matulungan ang mga mag-aaral sa kanilang pangangailangan.
“Kasama sa mga susunod na hakbang ng paaralan ang patuloy na pagpapalakas ng mga programang pangkalusugang pangkaisipan, mga classroom-based discussions tungkol sa pagpapahalaga sa buhay, at pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga magulang, barangay, at kapulisan upang higit pang mapalakas ang kaligtasan at suporta sa mga mag-aaral. Patuloy ding pag-iigtingin ang koordinasyon sa mga school personnel upang masiguro ang maayos na pagbabantay sa loob ng paaralan.
“Nagpapasalamat ang buong pamilya ng Kapt. Jose Cardones Integrated School sa agarang suporta at presensiya ng mga Opisyal ng DepEd sa pangunguna ni Asec. Jocelyn DR. Andaya, Regional Director, Dr. Rita E. Riddle, Asst. Regional Director, kinatawan ng Learner Rights and Protection Office, Dr. Cynthia L. Ayles, Division Superintendent, Dr. Arturo A. Tolentino, Asst. Division Superintendent, Mr. Noel T. Balubal, SGOD Chief, Dr. Ellery G. Quintia, CIDG Chief at Dr. Lovely Rollaine B. Cruz, PSDS.
“Sa huli, nananawagan at humihingi ng lubos na suporta ang pamunuan ng Kapt. Jose Cardones Integrated School sa buong komunidad ng paaralan na magkaisa sa pag-aalay ng respeto, pag-unawa, at suporta sa pamilya at sa mga mag-aaral na naapektuhan ng pangyayaring ito. Ang paaralan ay nananatiling nakatuon sa pagpapanatili ng isang ligtas, payapa, mapagkalinga, at child-friendly environment para sa lahat ng mag-aaral at patuloy na makikipagtulungan sa mga kinauukulang ahensya upang matiyak ang kapakanan ng bawat isa.”
English translation of the statement of Kapt. Jose Cardones Integrated School
OFFICIAL STATEMENT
“The entire leadership of Kapt. Jose Cardones Integrated School deeply sympathizes and extends condolences to the family, classmates, and friends of our student regarding a very sad incident that occurred inside the school. This incident has caused great sadness to the entire school community. In such situations, cooperation, understanding, and providing the right support to each other are important to overcome the difficult situation facing everyone.
“The school leadership acted immediately upon discovering the incident. School guards and concerned officials immediately took initial action to ensure the safety of the students and the entire school community. The incident was immediately reported to the relevant authorities including the police, barangay, local government officials, and Department of Education officials to conduct the necessary investigations and processes in accordance with existing policies.
“After the incident, steps were also immediately taken to help students who witnessed or were affected by the incident. They were moved to a separate and safe area within the school to be given proper attention and support. The school’s Guidance Advocate, school nurse, and other teachers immediately assisted in providing initial psychosocial support to the students.
“The school also coordinated with representatives of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWD), Dr. Anna Victoria Garcia-Panopio (Mental Health Program Medical Coordinator Taguig City Health Office), Division Nurses, and other relevant agencies to conduct debriefing and counseling for the students and staff affected by the incident. These steps were taken to help them process their emotions and provide them with proper guidance in dealing with the situation.
“The management would like to clarify that Capt. Jose Cardones Integrated School did not fail to implement appropriate measures to ensure the safety and well-being of the students. The school has existing programs and mechanisms focused on mental health awareness, student welfare, and school safety that are being continuously implemented to help students with their needs.
“The school’s next steps include the continued strengthening of mental health programs, classroom-based discussions on the value of life, and communication with parents, barangays, and police to further strengthen the safety and support of students. Coordination with school personnel will also continue to be intensified to ensure proper monitoring within the school.
“The entire family of Kapt. Jose Cardones Integrated School is grateful for the immediate support and presence of DepEd Officials led by Asec. Jocelyn DR. Andaya, Regional Director, Dr. Rita E. Riddle, Asst. Regional Director, representatives of the Learner Rights and Protection Office, Dr. Cynthia L. Ayles, Division Superintendent, Dr. Arturo A. Tolentino, Asst. Division Superintendent, Mr. Noel T. Balubal, SGOD Chief, Dr. Ellery G. Quintia, CIDG Chief and Dr. Lovely Rollaine B. Cruz, PSDS.
“Finally, the leadership of Capt. Jose Cardones Integrated School calls upon and seeks the full support of the entire school community to unite in offering respect, understanding, and support to the families and students affected by this incident. The school remains committed to maintaining a safe, peaceful, caring, and child-friendly environment for all students and will continue to collaborate with relevant agencies to ensure the well-being of everyone.”
