Man sneaks into school, beats up bully

MANILA, Philippines - A man slipped into a public high school in Barangay Pamplona, Las Piñas City Friday afternoon and attacked a 17-year-old student he accused of being a bully.

Leandro Sarno Jr., 24, was arrested shortly after the incident along with his companion, Justine Mejia, 18.

In a report sent to the Southern Police District, Las Piñas police chief Senior Superintendent Romulo Sapitula said the victim was about to leave Las Piñas East High School at around 12:40 p.m. when he encountered Sarno.

Investigators said Sarno slapped, punched and kicked the victim and then drew a handgun and pointed it at the student. When the attack caught the attention of other students, Sarno left the school grounds and rode a motorcycle driven by Mejia.

The victim sought the help of police officers patrolling the area. The police officers caught the two males and seized a loaded 9mm pistol from Sarno.

During the investigation, Sarno told police he attacked the victim as “payback” because the victim allegedly bullied his friend, a student at the same school.

Sarno and Mejia have been detained at the Las Piñas police headquarters as grave threat and child abuse charges are being readied against them.