Two Grade 8 students were killed in a stabbing incident outside their school along Balikatan Street in Barangay CAA, Las Piñas City, around 7 p.m. on Friday, April 11. The attack was reportedly carried out by three fellow students following an earlier argument.
According to Las Piñas City Police chief Col. Sandro Jay Tafalla, the victims were already outside the school when they were attacked. “Nagkaroon ng misunderstanding sa loob ng eskwelahan… Paglabas dun sinundan ng saksak itong mga biktima,” Tafalla said in an ABS-CBN News report.
Police investigation revealed that one of the victims had a heated exchange with a 15-year-old Grade 9 student—identified as a Child in Conflict with the Law (CICL)—inside a restroom earlier that afternoon. “Dahil lang sa ilaw… nagkasagutan sila dahil itong isa sa mga biktima pinapatay-sindi yung ilaw,” explained PSSg Neptali Maliclic, adding that the suspect may have felt disrespected.
The other victim, a cousin who came to pick up the student involved in the dispute, was also stabbed. Witnesses said the two were ambushed. One sustained a fatal neck wound and was declared dead at the hospital, while the other also died shortly after being rushed for treatment.
Authorities said the two other suspects, aged 14 and 16, who are also students from different grade levels, were not in school that day. Police believe they were there to support their friend. “Wala naman silang pasok… Sila ay magkakakilala lang na nakatira sa isang lugar,” said Maliclic.
The parents of the victims expressed heartbreak and disbelief. “May malay pa po yung anak ko, pinipilit pa pong lumaban,” one mother shared tearfully. Another said, “Matalino tapos ganun lang nila tatapusin buhay ng anak ko… anong laban ng dalawang ‘yun?”
The suspects were later surrendered by their parents. “Nakumbinsi natin yung mga magulang na makipag-cooperate,” Tafalla said, confirming that the CICLs will be turned over to Bahay Pag-asa, a child rehabilitation facility.
The police are now preparing to file appropriate charges, which could be homicide or murder depending on the final investigation. Tafalla urged the public, especially students, to avoid letting disputes escalate. “Sana kung may misunderstanding, hindi na humantong sa ganito,” he said.
