The City Government of Zamboanga has urged parents, school officials, and authorities to strengthen efforts against bullying and juvenile delinquency following a stabbing incident that left three students injured at Cabaluay National High School on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.

Based on investigation, a fistfight erupted inside the classroom involving a 17-year-old suspect and his two 16-year-old classmates.

The 17-year-old suspect then allegedly stabbed the victims, who sustained wounds in the abdomen, back, and right arm.

Police also said the suspect sustained injuries not caused by the stabbing and was brought to the school clinic for treatment.

According to Mayor Khymer Olaso, the suspect, who serves as an altar boy, claimed that he had experienced repeated bullying from some classmates prior to the confrontation.

Olaso added that the suspect claimed that one of the alleged bullying incidents happened morning on Wednesday, July 1, which also marked his 17th birthday.

The suspect also claimed that the victims allegedly forced him to use marijuana, which he said he did not want.

However, the Department of Education (DepEd) Zamboanga City said the suspect’s claim is still subject to verification.

“That is to be proven pa yung alleged statement ng child sa barangay kapitan as to the reason why he did it, pero it is needed to validate, to refer as well as to the PDEA kung anong correct agency to secure the correctness of the allegation ng bata,” DepEd Zamboanga City School Governance and Operations Division Officer-in-Charge, Dr. Basilo Uy, said.

The students involved are now in stable condition. The suspect will be taken into custody by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for intervention.

“Kasi minor siya. Sa level namin, siyempre, i-refer natin siya sa DSWD, but for the part of the Department of Education, for the continuity learning, may mga intervention tayong gagawin. Hindi tayo basta basta magpapakulong, may due process,” Uy said.

DepEd Zamboanga City also urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified information and allow the proper authorities to conduct their investigation.

MEASURES

Meanwhile, Olaso urged students facing conflicts, harassment, or personal concerns to seek assistance from teachers, school officials, guidance personnel or proper authorities instead of resorting to violence.

Olaso ordered barangay officials to strengthen the presence of barangay tanods near the school premises as part of immediate security measures.

He also directed the City Budget Office (CBO) to assess the possible purchase of scanners and metal detectors for deployment in schools across the city as an added safety measure.

(With reports from Efren Mamac, GMA Regional TV One Mindanao)