BACOLOD CITY – A Grade 9 student was injured after he was allegedly stabbed by his Grade 10 schoolmate after class dismissal outside a school in Barangay 2, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental on Tuesday, June 23, due to grudges which stemmed from a dispute between rival teenage groups.
Both the victim and the suspect were 17-years-old.
Police Lt. Col. Nazer Canja, San Carlos police chief, said the victim sustained a lone stab wound in his lower right abdomen and was taken to a hospital, where he is now recuperating.
Canja said that tensions between the two groups surfaced earlier in the day when a commotion broke out in a public restroom in Barangay Palampas, San Carlos City.
The school shared that the victim told his class adviser about a perceived threat.
The adviser instructed the learner not to leave the school campus while efforts were being made to contact the parent or guardian.
However, the learner reportedly ignored the adviser's instruction and left the campus despite the precautionary measures being taken.
After the stabbing, police launched a pursuit operation and arrested the suspect. Authorities also recovered a knife believed to have been used in the attack.
Because both the victim and suspect are minors, police said the case is being handled with strict adherence to child protection measures and juvenile justice procedures. The investigation is being conducted by the Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD).
Canja assured the public that authorities are carrying out a thorough and impartial investigation and that appropriate charges will be filed against those found responsible.
The incident occurred a day after the shooting in Tacloban City.
The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) urged parents, schools, community leaders, and guardians to help guide young people toward peaceful conflict resolution and responsible behavior.
Lawmen said that while schools generally remain safe places for learning, conflicts among youth can sometimes escalate outside school grounds.