The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) said on Wednesday that there is no indication that the recent stabbing of two high school students in Barangay Angliongto was linked to organized gang activity, even as police continue to investigate the involvement of six minors taken into custody.
Police Major Maria Teresita Gaspan, DCPO spokesperson, said initial findings showed that the minors involved were former schoolmates and that investigators have yet to establish the existence of any gang affiliation.
“Kung mo-ingon ta’g gangsterism, wala pud kaayo na-identify. So far, wala. Wala talaga. ‘Yung tinatawag natin na yung mga gang-gang na involving children in conflict with the law (CICL). That’s why ginasuta nato kung naa pa gyud sila’y grupo,” Gaspan said during the Davao Peace and Security Press Corps media forum.
Gaspan said the initial police investigation found no evidence that the minors were part of any gang or organized group.
“Wala talaga. ’Yun ang initial nga investigation sa police station. Mga nag-eskwela sila sa kadto nga former nga eskwelahan. Mga estudyante dati silang estudyante didto. But as to ingon nga gang-gang or grupo, wala gyud,” she said.
She acknowledged that authorities initially considered the possibility of gangsterism but said no evidence has surfaced to support such a conclusion.
“Actually, nabulagan gyud mi. Kung mo-ingon ta’g gangsterism, wala pud kaayo na-identify,” she said.
Gaspan added that the incident has prompted the DCPO to revisit intervention measures for children in conflict with the law (CICL).
“Mao na karon ang ginatutukan nato kung unsaon nato pag-address nining mga problema. Magkakaroon man tayo ng command conference unyang hapon sa office sa DCPO. Isa na sa mga agenda kung unsa’y mga intervention nga pagahimoon sa DCPO towards aning mga CICL,” she said.
The police official also clarified that the DCPO does not deploy police officers inside schools on a regular basis. Instead, patrol officers are stationed around school perimeters during opening and dismissal hours to help ensure the safety of students.
“Kanang mga police nato, they are performing patrol operations. During sa pagsulod, daghang police sa mga eskwelahan gikan alas-6 sa buntag hangtod alas-8, and then sa dismissal gikan alas-4 sa hapon hangtod alas-8 sa gabii. Gina-secure nato nga safe sila,” Gaspan said.
She said police deployment inside campuses only occurs upon the request of school authorities and after an assessment of the security situation.
Meanwhile, Gaspan urged schools to strengthen their own security measures by conducting bag inspections, implementing strict identification policies, and enhancing surveillance systems.
“We encourage the school nga aduna gyud dapat inspection sa mga bata sa pagsulod, and then ‘No ID, No Entry’ para masala nato. Apil na pud mag-ID ang bisita. I think mag-invest siguro sila sa ilang CCTV kay in case of any eventualities, ma-review nato ang CCTV footage,” she said.
She also encouraged schools to limit entry and exit points to better monitor the movement of students and visitors.
