ILOILO – The Department of Education (DepEd) has raised concern over the continuing prevalence of bullying in public schools across Western Visayas, recording 343 reported cases in School Year 2024-2025, including incidents that escalated into violence and physical harm.
“Usually these incidents start with teasing until it reaches a point that it becomes habitual and sometimes leads to physical contact,” said DepEd Region 6 information officer Hernani Escullar Jr. in an interview with Panay News.
Escullar described the figure as alarming, stressing that even a single case is already one too many, as bullying can negatively affect a student’s academic performance, mental health, and school attendance.
He noted that swift action is necessary to prevent learners from dropping out due to trauma or distress.
DepEd-6 has implemented several interventions including the activation of Learner Rights Protection Officers and Child Protection Committees in schools. These bodies are tasked with conducting awareness campaigns, offering counseling services, and providing psychosocial support through psychological first aid and guidance sessions.
Students too distressed to return to regular classes are given the option to continue learning through the Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM).
The urgency of these measures was underscored by two recent school-related stabbing incidents in Iloilo and Antique.
At the San Joaquin School of Fisheries in Iloilo, a 15-year-old student was wounded after being stabbed by a 13-year-old peer. The violent incident prompted the Schools Division Office (SDO) of Iloilo Province to immediately tighten campus security, including implementing bag inspections and banning dangerous items.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is working closely with the school to prevent similar incidents.
“We assure all stakeholders that our actions strictly adhere to the DepEd Child Protection Policy and the Zero Tolerance policy against violence in schools,” said Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Ernesto Servillon Jr.
Psychosocial interventions, including trauma counseling and debriefing sessions, were immediately extended to affected students, teachers, and parents.
The school also reinforced its anti-bullying and conflict resolution programs.
Meanwhile, a separate stabbing incident occurred at Antique National School in San Jose de Buenavista on July 3, involving three students.
The suspect, a 15-year-old Grade 10 student, stabbed a Grade 7 and a Grade 12 student. The younger victim sustained a wound in the lower back and is now out of danger after receiving hospital care. The Grade 12 victim also received medical attention for a minor abdominal wound and was later discharged.
The suspect fled the scene but was later taken into custody by law enforcement.
In an official statement, Antique National School emphasized that the incident was isolated and that the safety of learners remains their top priority.
Security measures have since been intensified, and the school’s Child Protection Committee is conducting a full investigation in coordination with authorities.
“The school is committed to providing a safe learning environment, and we are taking immediate steps to address the situation by tightening inspections of our learners and other safety and security measures,” the school said.
DepEd-6 is appealing for calm and public understanding, urging communities to avoid speculation and respect the privacy of the minors involved./PN
