DepEd conducts ‘fact-finding’ probe into reported burning of students’ bags

MANILA, Philippines — A video posted on social media showing students watching their confiscated bags get burned for allegedly violating the school’s “no-bag policy” for a campus event went viral on social media, catching the attention of the Department of Education.

In a tweet dated August 17, Twitter user Earl Vincent said the “head” of his alma mater, Bicol Central Academy, ordered the destruction of the students’ bags that contain school items, garments and gadgets like mobile phones and laptops.

Moreover, he just not burned the bags of those students but he also called his students stupid. Sir, we had enough. This is not education at all. pic.twitter.com/XqD6vBnfqk

— earl vincent (@Surrearlism) August 17, 2018

The video shows an angry man, who appears to be a school official, shouting at students as flames engulf the bags.

“Wala pa ngang bomba yan. Bakit, naiwan niyo phone niyo diyan? Eh stupid pala kayo eh (There’s no bomb in there yet. Why did you leave your phone inside your bag? You’re stupid),” the man said.

Earl Vincent said the no-bag policy was part of a rule implemented for a school event that day called “Tasumaki day,” where some high school students were asked to fill in for teachers who were having a conference at the time.

He said the students carried large bags as they had to change clothes and use gadgets for their school works after the event.

“This is not education at all... The act made surely crossed the lines. It needed to be called out,” he said. “Justice needs to be served.”

Bicol Central Academy has yet to issue a statement on the matter.

Sought for comment, DepEd said it has been informed about the incident Saturday morning.

“[DepEd] regional director of region 5 and regional counterparts [are] on fact-finding work now,” the education department said in a text message to reporters. — Ian Nicolas Cigaral