- DCPO spearheads initiative to protect students after pupil’s death
FOLLOWING the tragic death of an eight-year-old Grade 3 student from a traumatic brain injury after a classroom altercation, the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) has ordered all station commanders to launch anti-bullying lectures in public and private schools.
DCPO chief PCOL Peter B. Madria announced the directive during a press conference on Thursday, July 23, emphasizing the need for preventive education alongside an ongoing, full-scale investigation into the child’s death.
“We have directed all station commanders to coordinate with school officials and authorities to conduct lectures regarding the Anti-Bullying Act,” Madria told reporters, adding that investigators are working closely with school administration to establish full accountability.
Timeline and medical findings
Speaking at the Davao Peace and Security Press Corps media briefing at The Royal Mandaya Hotel, PMaj. Marc Hedssel Culaste, commander of the Sta. Ana Police Station, disclosed that the alleged bullying occurred around 3 p.m. on July 17 inside a local public school.
According to police, a quarrel broke out between two eight-year-old Grade 3 classmates. The victim returned home at 5 p.m. that afternoon complaining of severe head and stomach pain, telling her mother she had been bullied.
The child’s condition steadily deteriorated over the following days:
- July 17: The family initially brought the child to a traditional healer (hilot) for a massage.
- July 19: As severe pain persisted, the family traveled to Nabunturan, Davao de Oro, to consult another traditional practitioner.
- July 21: Upon returning to Davao City, the child’s health collapsed, prompting her family to rush her to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) in the morning. She was pronounced dead at 2 p.m. that same day.
- July 22: The victim’s mother formally reported the incident to the police.
“Our initial finding from the attending physician lists the cause of death as brain failure and traumatic brain injury,” Culaste said, noting that police are still awaiting the official medical report and abdominal ultrasound results.
While online reports and social media posts alleged the victim was severely beaten, authorities urged the public to avoid spreading unconfirmed claims.
“As of this time, what is confirmed is that the other boy hit the girl on the head with a notebook,” Culaste clarified. “Other allegations that she was elbowed, punched, or kicked are still subject to further investigation. All other claims remain allegations.”
Madria corroborated this, noting that while initial reports mentioned physical assaults, physical evidence remains unverified. “According to the teacher, the child mentioned being hit, but the teacher did not witness it,” Madria added.
Investigators requested an autopsy on Wednesday, July 22, to conclusively establish the physical trauma, but the victim’s mother declined.
