BACOLOD City – A Grade 9 student was placed under protective custody after school authorities discovered about 30 grams of suspected shabu, with an estimated street value of P204,000, during a routine security inspection at a public high school in Barangay Banago here on July 20.
The discovery was made when a school security guard conducting an inspection at the school’s exit gate noticed suspicious items inside the student’s bag. Upon inspection, the guard recovered two knot-tied plastic sachets containing suspected illegal drugs.
The incident was immediately reported to Police Station 3 of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), which responded to the school along with personnel from the City Intelligence Unit (CIU).
Authorities withheld the identity of the student in compliance with Republic Act No. 9344, as amended, or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act.
The minor was placed under protective custody and will be referred to the appropriate Social Development Center for intervention and proper disposition in accordance with the law.
The suspected shabu was inventoried and will be subjected to forensic laboratory examination.
Police are also investigating the source of the illegal drugs and whether the minor may have been exploited or used by individuals involved in illegal drug trafficking.
Brig. Gen. Romano V. Cardiño, director of the Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR), underscored the importance of cooperation among schools, parents, communities, and law enforcement agencies in protecting young people from illegal drugs.
“Our schools must remain safe spaces for learning and development. This incident highlights the vital role of school security personnel and the importance of vigilance,” Cardiño said.
He assured the public that authorities will continue to intensify anti-illegal drug operations while ensuring that minors involved in such cases are treated in accordance with the law and provided appropriate intervention and rehabilitation.
PRO-NIR also urged the public to report information on illegal drug activities to the nearest police station or through the SAFE NIR Dial 911 emergency hotline as part of efforts to keep communities and educational institutions safe./PN
