Teen faces murder raps over school stabbing
The 14-year-old boy who allegedly stabbed his 13-year-old classmate to death inside a Las Piñas City school has undergone inquest proceedings for a murder case, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said on Monday.
“As of now, he’s at Bahay Pag-asa. He’s in temporary custody there,” NCRPO spokesperson Maj. Hazel Asilo told reporters when asked about the whereabouts of the accused.
She also said the suspect “underwent inquest proceedings last Saturday [upon] the recommendation of the fiscal.”
Republic Act No. 9344, or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act states that children younger than age 15 are exempt from criminal liability.
However, RA 10630, which revises the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, states that children between 12 and 15 who commit “serious crimes” like murder are to be placed under an intensive juvenile intervention and support center.
Violence perpetrated by children and adolescents has become a leading public issue, especially in the wake of the June 22 shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City.
Prosecutors had filed three counts of murder, three counts of frustrated murder and multiple counts of serious physical injuries against a 15-year-old. The other suspect, 14, was not charged because of the legal exemption from criminal liability due to age.
Loose change
The accused, who is categorized as a CICL (child in conflict with the law), allegedly stabbed his classmate using a pocket knife during recess at Las Piñas National High School (LPNHS) on July 31.
A police report stated earlier that the incident occurred in front of a classroom on the fourth floor.
According to Asilo, “The suspect had ordered the victim to buy him a bottle of water at the canteen. When he came back, the suspect asked for the change. The victim said he left the P10 change at the canteen. That’s where their argument began until it ended in the stabbing.”
“The CICL only bought the [weapon] he used online,” Asilo said. It’s possible he brought it with him [since] it was not found among his things [during an inspection].”
Police said earlier the students had an “altercation” when the CICL “drew a bladed weapon and stabbed the victim at the left portion [of his] chest.”
“Subsequently, the victim was rushed by the faculty of LPNHS to Las Piñas District Hospital for medical attention but [he was] pronounced expired by [the attending physician] about 4:53 p.m.,” police also said.
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