Mayor Calls for Anti-Bullying Measures After School Stabbing
ZAMBOANGA City Mayor Khymer Olaso has called on parents and school authorities to strengthen efforts against bullying to prevent a repeat of a stabbing incident at Cabaluay National High School on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.
The police reported that a 17-year-old student allegedly stabbed and wounded two classmates. Olaso identified the suspect as alias Jose and the victims as alias Pedro and Santiago.
Bullying Led to the Attack
Investigation revealed that Jose had experienced repeated bullying from Pedro and Santiago prior to the incident. According to Olaso, "Pedro and Santiago even sing birthday song and told Jose they have surprise gift for him since it was his birthday (on Wednesday). Suddenly, Santiago punched Jose and when the latter fought back, he was ganged up by the two (Pedro and Santiago). At that instance, Jose pulled a knife from his notebook and stabbed the two."
Olaso said that based on Jose's account, his classmates allegedly pressured him to smoke marijuana. When Jose, who is an altar boy, refused, they started bullying him.
Meeting with Officials and Students
Jose later admitted to stabbing his two classmates during a meeting with school officials, local police, and village authorities. Olaso also met with students involved in the alleged marijuana-related incident to hear their side. However, the mayor stated that all statements and allegations remain subject to proper validation by concerned authorities as the investigation continues.
Call for Intervention and Reporting
Olaso urged teachers to allocate a few minutes of their classes to check for students facing harassment or bullying so that proper intervention can be initiated immediately. He also called on students experiencing bullying to report or seek assistance from school officials so that appropriate action can be taken.
