By Jennifer P. Rendon
A 13-year-old student was stabbed, and two others were injured following a brawl among minors outside Iloilo City National High School in Molo district on the afternoon of Feb. 20.
The victim, identified as Josh (real name withheld), a Grade 7 student and Molo district resident, sustained a stab wound to his left shoulder. He was immediately taken to Iloilo Doctors’ Hospital for treatment.
Two other students, identified as alias GC, 13, a Grade 7 student, and Paul, also a minor, sustained minor injuries.
Reports said officers from Iloilo City Police Station 4 were conducting a mobile patrol when they saw a commotion involving students outside the school in Barangay Taal, Molo.
Bystanders claimed a group of minors was fighting, with some wielding bladed weapons.
Following the incident, police brought three minors to the station before turning them over to the Women and Children’s Protection Desk (WCPD). They were identified as Ric, 17, a Grade 12 student; alias GC; and John, 14, a Grade 8 student.
Major Chen Tañagras, Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) WCPD chief, said a follow-up investigation is underway to identify other minors involved.
“We have to talk to the victim’s family to determine if they will pursue charges against Ric, as he is the only suspect over 15 years old,” she said.
Tañagras added that this was not the first time a brawl had occurred near the school and that authorities would look into preventive measures to avoid similar incidents in the future.
