THE principal and the guidance counselor of the Mabolo National High School, formerly known as the Florencio Urot National High School, called to a meeting three students believed to be involved in the stabbing of another student on Wednesday night, September 14, 2022.

The three students were accompanied by their parents. Also present at the meeting was Major Erano Regidor, chief of the Mabolo Police Station.

They wanted to find out who was responsible for stabbing the victim.

Lieutenant Colonel Wilbert Parilla, deputy director for administration of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), said that while the investigation of the incident is ongoing, they’ve deployed police officers inside school premises and outside the gate to safeguard students going home after night classes.

“We’ve already introduced intervention measures. According to the chief of police, based on their initial agreement with the principal, the guidance counselor will assess and further ask some questions like who else are involved. Apparently, four or five students allegedly assisted the victim,” Parilla said in a mix of Cebuano and English.

He said they received reports that the suspects and victim belong to opposing gangs Bloods and Crips, but they have to confirm this.

If indeed gangs have infiltrated the school, he said the police and school officials will try to stop them.

He said gangs often cause trouble that results in members getting hurt.

On Thursday morning, September 15, the Mabolo Police Station invited a student who reportedly had an altercation with the victim before the stabbing.

If it turns out the student was responsible for stabbing the victim, police will need to check if he is 15 years old or older so that they can file a case against him. Otherwise, police will have to turn him over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Parilla said.

The police official called on parents of students, especially those attending night school, to monitor their movements and to make sure they don’t join gangs to prevent them from getting involved in violent feuds.