DepEd 7 Director Salustiano Jimenez told SunStar Cebu on Monday, Oct. 17, 2022, that they have not received reports of gang-related incidents in both public and private elementary and high schools since the two separate incidents involving minors last month.
One of the incidents was the stabbing of a student from Mabolo National High School. The student was on his way home on the night of Sept. 14 when he was stabbed.
Another student was mauled by a group of teens inside the Regino Mercado Memorial National High School in Barangay Pahina-Central on Sept. 16.
These incidents fueled suspicions that the fighting between the members of school-based gangs Bloods and Crips had resumed.
Both cases are still under investigation, authorities said.
Jimenez said the DepEd mandated all school personnel, particularly in public schools, not to condone any feud or commotions among the students and address them immediately.
Gang violence is a “no-no” in basic grades, said Jimenez.