Parents, schools liable for violence involving minors, says senator
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian —Senate Social Media Unit
MANILA, Philippines — Parents and schools could be held liable over violent incidents involving minors, particularly the stabbing of a 14-year-old girl inside a Parañaque City school, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said on Sunday.
“Under the civil code, they face civil liability. This means they can be charged and also penalized over this incident,” Gatchalian said in an interview on radio dzBB.
He was referring to the 14-year-old girl who was fatally stabbed by her classmate using a kitchen knife following an argument inside the Moonwalk National High School on March 26.
READ: Grade 8 student stabs to death classmate in Parañaque City
Gatchalian also urged schools to implement stricter security measures, as the suspect was able to sneak a deadly weapon into the campus.
“Even schools have a responsibility here. Our concept is [that] when children are admitted to school, the school administration [now becomes] the second ] parent],” the senator stressed.
Gatchalian nevertheless acknowledged the swift action of authorities in apprehending the suspect and turning him over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Police said the argument between the suspect and the victim started when the former borrowed makeup from the latter without her permission.
The victim reportedly managed to run after she was stabbed four times but was subsequently declared dead on arrival at the Ospital ng Parañaque.
House probe
Police said the victim reportedly complained to her mother as early as Tuesday that the suspect had been carrying a kitchen knife.
Expressing concern that many violent assaults on students and adults in schools were unreported or even buried, Barangay Health and Wellness Rep. Angelica Natasha Co on Sunday said the House of Representatives’ committee on the welfare of children would start an investigation.
“I expect the concerned departments, institutions, and experts to submit their reports to the committee in April,” she added.
“To be specific, we are urgently concerned about violent incidents that have occurred within the past years to the present,” said Co, who chairs the committee.
“We are also deeply concerned about violent deaths and rape of teachers while on campus,” she added.
“I suspect that many more [cases] have gone unreported or buried by authorities who are supposed to investigate and prosecute,” she said.
