Gang rivalry mars school activity: two minors injured in stabbing incident; grade 11 suspect sought

• Two young males were injured in a violent stabbing incident that occurred within Mati National Comprehensive High School in Mati City, Davao Oriental, this past Thursday

• Authorities are conducting hot pursuit operations for a 20-year-old Grade 11 student, alias "Ivar," who is the alleged assailant in the attack

• Police investigations suggest the stabbing stemmed from an ongoing "gang" rivalry, with one victim, a 16-year-old out-of-school youth ("John"), targeted while visiting the school's foundation day

• The school administration is fully cooperating with the police probe and providing support to affected students and staff, even as the incident raises concerns about security despite the presence of Philippine Army personnel during the event

Two male minors sustained injuries in a shocking stabbing incident that occurred inside the Mati National Comprehensive High School in Mati City this past Thursday afternoon.

Authorities are currently conducting hot pursuit operations for the alleged assailant, a 20-year-old Grade 11 student of the same institution.

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The incident unfolded during the school's foundation day celebration, a supposedly festive event that was marred by the sudden eruption of violence.

Police investigations revealed that one of the victims, a 16-year-old out-of-school youth identified by the alias "John," was visiting the school for the festivities.

The suspect, known by the alias "Ivar," reportedly took strong exception to "John's" presence, allegedly due to an ongoing rivalry between their respective "gangs."

According to initial reports, "Ivar" confronted "John," chasing him into a classroom. There, the suspect allegedly used an ice pick to repeatedly stab "John."

In the ensuing chaos, another male student, aged 15, was also reportedly stabbed by "Ivar." Both injured victims were immediately rushed to a local hospital for medical attention, though their current conditions have not been publicly detailed.

The school administration promptly responded to the emergency, with police initiating immediate hot pursuit operations to apprehend "Ivar."

The incident has raised questions about security within the school premises, especially given that members of the Philippine Army were reportedly present on campus as part of the foundation day's security measures.

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This suggests that the conflict may have been an internal dispute that quickly escalated despite visible security presence.

School officials have stated their full cooperation with the ongoing police investigation to determine the precise sequence of events and the full extent of the gang rivalry that allegedly triggered the attack.

In the aftermath of the traumatic event, the school is also extending counseling and psychological support to students and staff who may have been affected by the violence.

This unfortunate incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges schools face in maintaining safety, particularly when external conflicts, such as gang rivalries, spill over into educational environments.

Authorities are urging anyone with information about the whereabouts of the suspect, "Ivar," to come forward and assist in his immediate apprehension, ensuring accountability for the violent acts committed within the school's supposed sanctuary.

News, photos, or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, this could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable stories.

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In other news, rescuers are searching for passengers of an SUV that fell into a creek in Caloocan City, according to Mayor Dale Malapitan. The SUV was found at Durian Bridge about an hour after falling from Doña Aurora Street, but no occupants were inside. CCTV footage showed the SUV entering a flooded area despite warnings, prompting immediate rescue response. Mayor Malapitan assured that main roads are now passable and ordered continued search efforts until all missing persons are found.

Meanwhile in showbiz news, singer and director Randy Santiago underwent successful cataract surgery at the UST Hospital Eye Center and shared the experience on social media. He thanked Dr. Rollo Milante and the USTH team for the smooth and painless procedure and praised Dr. Elvis Llarena for the referral. Santiago encouraged others to be aware of age-related eye issues like cataracts and emphasized the importance of timely treatment. He is a well-known singer, actor, and TV host in the Philippines with a long career in entertainment.

Source: KAMI.com.gh