UST student stabbed inside FEU campus; FEU assures cooperation in probe

A student of the University of Santo Tomas was hospitalized after being stabbed while about to attend a film showing at the Far Eastern University campus in Manila Tuesday evening. Police are gathering leads on the "four to six" assailants who stabbed UST student Joanne Lourdes Reyes inside the FEU campus, radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo reported. The FEU issued a statement on its Facebook page expressing regret over the incident and promising its full cooperation in the investigation. "Far Eastern University regrets the alleged stabbing incident that occurred on campus last night, October 2, 2012, and is taking the matter very seriously. All the initial facts pertaining to the case were gathered and have been turned over to the authorities last night," said Albert Cabasada III, FEU director for admissions and external relations. "The victim has been reported to be in stable condition at the present time," he added. Cabasada said FEU is giving its full cooperation in the investigation, including making its on-campus closed-circuit television footages and access to witnesses available to police investigators. He noted University Belt Area Police Community Precinct head Senior Inspector Antonio Naag is heading the probe. Cabasada said the FEU Student Affairs and Security Offices assisted Reyes and brought her to the Chinese General Hospital. The FEU has also provided UST with Reyes' personal details, citing initial reports that showed she is a student of UST. In the meantime, he said, FEU is taking steps to improve campus safety and security.  "Student monitoring and counseling are being undertaken, as well," he said. — BM, GMA News