CHR-Negros Occidental initiates investigation over incident

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Department of Education (DepEd) Division of Bago City came out in defense of Ramon Torres National High School (RTNHS), who are being blamed for the recent suicide of Grade 8 student Eric Hain Demafeliz.

In a radio interview yesterday morning, Atty. Rex Cabarles, legal counsel for the local DepEd division, denied school staff brought Demafeliz to the Bago City Police Station after he was accused of stealing a tablet.

He claimed the owner of the tablet got in touch with the student, wherein the two agreed to meet in Bantayan Park on October 9.

Cabarles explained, a picture of the stolen tablet was shown for sale on a social media account run by Demafeliz. The student claimed his account was hacked and reportedly went to the police voluntarily. It was then the police planned an entrapment operation against the student, however, he did not show up to the meeting point.

According to Task Force Kasanag (TFK), who called for a probe into the matter earlier this month, after being brought to the Bago City Police Station, the student was subjected to harassment from teachers and students, leading him to take his own life.

TFK national commander John Chiong also questioned the RTNHS staff over the handling of the case, saying school staff should have contacted the student’s parents before involving the police.

Meanwhile, Negros Occidental Commission on Human Rights (CHR) head Romeo Baldevarona said he received a letter from Chiong and, based on allegations of bullying, ordered an investigation into the incident.

In a phone interview yesterday, Chiong noted, it is illegal to organize an entrapment operation against Demafeliz since he is a minor./DGB, WDJ