ZAMBOANGA CITY(July 2) — Alleged bullying and pressure to use illegal drugs are emerging as key angles in the stabbing of two Grade 11 students by a classmate inside a public high school here, as education and law enforcement officials moved to strengthen school safety following a separate threat in Cavite.
The violence erupted Wednesday morning inside a classroom at Cabaluay National High School in Barangay Cabaluay after two students allegedly assaulted a smaller-built classmate, according to police.
Maj. Chester Natividad, chief of the Zamboanga City Police Office Criminal Investigation Division Management-Special Investigation Unit, said the suspect allegedly pulled out a small kitchen knife wrapped in paper and stabbed the two students after being beaten.
The wounded students were rushed to a government hospital for treatment, while the suspect, also a minor, was brought to the school’s guidance counselor for intervention.
Initial interviews with police and barangay officials indicated the suspect had long been subjected to bullying and peer pressure from the same classmates. Investigators are also looking into allegations that the victims had pressured him to smoke marijuana before the attack.
Authorities are now investigating both the alleged drug involvement and how the knife was brought inside the school. The identities of all students have been withheld because they are minors.
The incident came as the Department of Education (DepEd) sought to reassure parents that the Schools Division Office of Zamboanga City is closely coordinating with school officials to provide psychosocial support and other interventions for the students and the wider school community.
DepEd also urged the public not to spread unverified information while authorities complete their investigation.
“Let us continue to support our schools in promoting a culture of respect, understanding, and care for all learners,” the department said.
In a separate incident highlighting growing concerns over school safety, authorities in Cavite foiled a potential act of violence after identifying a Grade 10 student allegedly behind a threat at General Mariano Alvarez Technical High School.
The Schools Division Office of Cavite said school officials immediately activated emergency safety protocols and coordinated with the local government, the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the student’s parents.
The student is now under the custody of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office while authorities continue their assessment.
DepEd said additional security measures have been implemented to protect the school community and again appealed to the public to rely only on official information.
Following the two incidents, the PNP expressed support for DepEd’s proposal to require mandatory bag inspections in schools as part of broader efforts to prevent weapons from being brought onto campuses and deter future acts of school violence.
