• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Department of Education strongly condemned the physical assault of a minor that led to his death inside a school campus on October 19 in Binalbagan, Negros Occidental.
The mauling of a Grade 12 learner was perpetrated by another student, with the help of his two siblings and two other suspects, according to the DepEd Division of Negros Occidental.
The 17-year-old victim, whose identity is being withheld by the police, succumbed to fatal head injury, from impact with concrete.
We strongly condemn this atrocity, which now puts the school, personnel, and learners in a bad light, a statement from the DepEd said.
The incident took place at the Payao National High School in Brgy. Payao, Binalbagan.
DepEd Negros Occidental further said that they are now taking all the necessary steps to shed light on the matter and eventually to give justice to the aggrieved.
One of the suspects has surrendered to the Binalbagan police, where he now faces a homicide charge.
To bring back normalcy in the school community, DepEd said psychosocial support services will be made available to students, staff and families who have been affected by the tragic loss.
DepEd Negros Occidental also assured that security measures and policies in all schools under its jurisdictions will be reviewed and enhanced to ensure that similar incidents will not happen again.
They also appealed to the public not to resort to bashing, public shaming and humiliation, trial by publicity, and the like, as these have already severely affected both parties, their families, and the concerned school.*
