By MERLINDA A. PEDROSA

The two knot-tied plastic sachets found inside the bag of a Grade 9 student in Bacolod City did not contain methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu, but the substance might be a form of alum or “tawas.”

Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) Director Colonel Eugene Rebadomia suspected the confiscation of the substance could be a prank or bullying from other students targeting him.

“We now consider the student a victim rather than a suspect,” Rebadomia said in a press conference yesterday.

Rebadomia said the student was victimized by his fellow student who allegedly placed the two plastic sachets of alum inside the student’s bag on Monday, July 20.

It was earlier reported to the school’s security guard that the student was carrying a firearm inside his bag, which led to the inspection.

The student was earlier turned over to the barangay social worker, while the Department of Social Services and Development will also conduct an intervention for the student allegedly responsible for placing the sachets in the bag.

Rebadomia emphasized that the school’s social worker should also conduct an intervention program in connection with the incident.

The student was taken into protective custody and endorsed to the appropriate Social Development Center for proper intervention and disposition in accordance with existing laws and procedures governing Children in Conflict with the Law./MAP, WDJ