A Grade 11 student was assaulted by a group of men outside a high school in La Castellana, Negros Occidental after he was reportedly mistaken for someone else, police said.

A video of the incident showed the student, identified only as alias Lester, sitting on his motorcycle when a man suddenly approached and punched him. Lester fought back, but he was soon attacked by the man's companions.

The student sustained bruises and injuries to his face and head.

His mother, Mimi, said she believed initially that the incident was just a fight between students until she saw the video.

“Noong una, nang hindi pa namin nakita ang video, akala ko, parang suntok lang na normal lang. Akala ko, away-bata lang. Pero nalaman ko na outsider pala iyon. Nakita ko sa video, talagang kawawa ang aking anak,” she said.

The Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD) of the La Castellana Municipal Police Station said the attackers were not students of the school and were only visiting the area. Investigators said the victim was attacked because the suspects mistook him for another person linked to a conflict between two groups.

Police Staff Sergeant Ritchel Silim, the case investigator, said the student has been advised to stay away from school for now for his safety.

“May old grudges silang magka-grupo. Naano lang siya, napagkamalan. Hindi pala siya. Hindi na muna siya pinapasok sa eskuwelahan para sa kanyang safety,” Silim said.

The student is scheduled to undergo counseling following the incident.

His parents said they are determined to file physical injury charges against the suspects, who have already been identified by authorities.

The Department of Education in Negros Occidental has yet to issue a statement on the incident despite requests from the news team.