DepEd Tightens Security After San Joaquin School Stabbing

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The Department of Education Schools Division of Iloilo has enforced stricter campus security measures after a stabbing incident involving two junior high school students on Wednesday.

The incident occurred at a public high school in San Joaquin town, where a 15-year-old Grade 10 student was stabbed in the abdomen by a 13-year-old Grade 7 schoolmate.

DepEd Iloilo said the stabbing stemmed from a long-standing conflict and verbal teasing between the two learners.

The victim was reportedly weeding grass when he was approached and attacked with a sharp object.

He was rushed to the San Joaquin Mother and Child Hospital for treatment.

In compliance with child protection protocols, the younger student was placed under the custody of the San Joaquin Municipal Police and the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office.

DepEd Iloilo, in a statement released Thursday, said authorities are now conducting thorough bag inspections and have banned dangerous objects on campus to prevent similar incidents.

The school has also shifted to Alternative Delivery Modalities to ensure continued learning for the affected students.

Psychological first aid providers will be deployed to offer psychosocial support to both learners and school personnel.

An incident management team is monitoring the situation to ensure school safety and address the emotional needs of those involved.

“We assure all stakeholders that our actions strictly adhere to the DepEd Child Protection Policy and the Zero Tolerance policy against violence in schools,” the agency said.

The incident has sparked renewed calls for better mental health support and conflict resolution programs in schools across Western Visayas.