The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Sunday confirmed that the altercation resulting in the death of a student due to a stabbing incident in Las Piñas City stemmed from a ₱10 change.

According to NCRPO Spokesperson PMaj. Hazel Asilo, the ninth-grade child in conflict with the law (CICL) had an argument with his victim after the latter was unable to give him ₱10 as change after being told to buy a bottle of water beforehand.

The two had an argument, ending with the suspect stabbing his victim, another Grade 9 student.

“Based po sa report na natanggap namin, nagkaroon sila ng sagutan dahil sa ₱10 na sukli na naiwan nung ating victim. Kasi pinabili siya ng tubig nung ating CICL, at pagbalik niya, hindi niya nadala ‘yung sukli. Ang sabi niya ay naiwan niya… ‘Yun ‘yung naging cause ng kanilang pagtatalo,” Asilo said in an interview on DZRH Stories: Pinoy Documentaries.

Authorities are preparing all pertinent documents required for filing a case against the suspect, she said.

“Ayon po sa ating huling information sa Southern Police District, hinahanda na po ang lahat ng kinakailangan na dokumento dahil posible po makasuhan ‘yung ating CICL sa kanyang ginawang pananaksak (na nagresulta) sa pagkamatay ng kanyang kaklase,” the official disclosed.

Police are still establishing the suspect’s connection with the victim—whether they were classmates or friends.

The NCRPO, Asilo said, is ready to publicize a comparative figure on the apparent surge in incidents of school violence once they have finalized the report.

Meanwhile, Asilo told the anchor that they are focused on bolstering the implementation of safety measures aside from maintaining accessibility to the police assistance desk stationed close to schools.

As a Zone of Peace, police are limited to patrolling in areas surrounding schools, instead of within their premises, except in special cases.