DILG chief to ‘personally monitor’ case of med tech student shot in Tuguegarao
MANILA, Philippines –Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. on Tuesday announced that he will be “personally monitoring” the case of the third-year medical technology student who was shot in the parking lot of a university in Tuguegarao.
CCTV footage of the shooting and beating of the victim, identified as Althea Vivien Mendoza, went viral on November 13.
“I was appalled by the viral video showing Saint Paul University-Tuguegarao student Althea Vivien Mendoza being shot and beaten by another student inside their school campus,” Abalos said in a statement.
“Rest assured that I will personally monitor this case and ensure that justice is done,” he continued.
Abalos added that he would engage with educators to explore methods for enhancing the safety of children within school premises.
He also hoped schools could devise improved strategies for identifying troubled or disturbed individuals, enabling earlier intervention.
“I ask the public to join me [to] put an end to violence against women and children,” the Department of the Interior and Local Government chief said.
The suspect was temporarily released on November 16 after posting a P236,000 bail.
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