DepEd Probes Notebook Attack on Davao Student, Urges End to Speculation

MANILA, Philippines — Netizens have been urged to stop spreading unverified information about the death of a Grade 3 pupil in Davao City who was reportedly struck in the head with a notebook by her classmate. The Department of Education (DepEd) said the public, particularly netizens, must stop speculating and wait for the result of the investigation being conducted into the case. DepEd said spreading fake news could cause more pain to the family of the eight-year-old girl and the children involved as well as the school. Officials of the Lapulapu Elementary School as well as the DepEd-Davao region and Schools Division Office of Davao City are coordinating with authorities. Reports said the girl complained of headaches after she was reportedly struck with a notebook by a male classmate on July 17. The pain reportedly persisted for several days, prompting relatives to bring the girl to a hospital on Tuesday, where she died on the same day. DepEd said psychosocial support is being extended to affected learners and school personnel as well as relatives of the student.