DepEd: No cell phone ban after student’s ‘selfie’ accident

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Education has not ordered a total ban on cell phones in schools, even after a student died when she fell down a flight of stairs when she took a “selfie” in a school in Pasig, DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro said yesterday.

“We allow cell phones in school but their use is regulated, especially inside the classroom and during public gatherings,” he said.

Luistro issued his statement after the death of Christine Rosello, 14, a third year high school student who died when she fell from the third floor of the Rizal High School while taking a selfie photo on June 30.

He pointed out that the accident happened outside the classroom.

Luistro has created a fact-finding team to investigate the death of Rosello, whose family admitted she had a history of dizzy spells.

Senior Superintendent Mario Rariza, Pasig City police chief, said Rosello was with a classmate, Hanah Jane Calces, when the accident happened. He said the two girls were using Calces’ cell phone to take selfies.

Rariza said Rosello was observed sipping an energy drink as she and Calces took photos. Rosello suddenly fell down nine steps from the third floor to the second-floor landing, he added.

Autopsy reports showed that Rosello sustained broken bones and had an injury at the back of the head. Her broken bones also pierced her kidney.

The assistant principal rushed Rosello to the Rizal Medical Center, where she died an hour later.