18-year-old suspect, schoolmate had past grudge before stabbing incident, says principal

The 18-year-old suspect and the schoolmate he stabbed inside Cavite National High School had an ongoing grudge with each other before the incident happened, the school principal said.

According to Mariz Umali’s report in “24 Oras” on Monday, the principal reportedly said the two students already patched things up then. But the two later had another issue with each other.

The principal mentioned the stabbing incident during their break time.

“There was already an ongoing dispute. An encounter already took place outside the school the other day, and because they happen to study at our school, they intentionally brought the fight inside the school premises,” said Randie Salonga, the principal of Cavite National High School, in Filipino.

Before the tension escalated into stabbing, the two students figured in a physical fight.

“A blade that was hidden in his shoe was drawn. And with that, he stabbed the student he had been fighting with,” Salonga added.

Teachers pacified the fight and immediately brought the victim to the hospital. Meanwhile, the suspect was unable to escape because of the wounds and bruises he suffered.

“He was immediately isolated. He was put in the guidance office. His parents were summoned. His wounds were also treated,” said Salonga.

The school will offer psychosocial services for the students and teachers who witnessed the incident.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is also coordinating with the school, while patrolling the premises of the campus.

Depression

Meanwhile, the student involved in another school stabbing incident in Cavite was allegedly suffering from a depressive condition, the PNP said.

“Initially, it was found that, although not yet confirmed, it was found that the suspect or the person of interest was suffering from a depressive condition,” PNP Information Chief and Spokesperson Col. Allen Rae Co said in a briefing.

The victims are already in stable condition. The authorities already dismissed bullying as a motive.

Meanwhile, the Grade 8 student suspect, who was a transferee, is undergoing psychosocial support and guidance counseling. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA News