Gangs, fraternities top Cebu City police watchlist as school year starts

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The local police have identified gang and fraternity activity as a key security concern at the start of the new school year, even as authorities reported a generally peaceful opening of classes across the city.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Franco Rodulf Oriol, deputy city director for administration of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), said police had not recorded any major incidents involving students since public and private schools resumed classes.

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“So far, gikan sa pag-abli sa balik-eskwela sa public and private schools, wala ta kadawat og major incidents and complaints regarding sa city ug sa mga bata,” Oriol said during a press conference on Tuesday, June 16.

(So far, since the opening of classes in public and private schools, we have not received any major incidents or complaints involving the city or students.)

He said authorities had only dealt with minor concerns, particularly traffic congestion around school zones.

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“Normally, balik-eskwela mohuot gyud ang traffic,” he said.

(Traffic normally becomes heavier during the opening of classes.)

To address the situation, the CCPO has coordinated with the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) and barangay officials to help manage traffic flow and assist students crossing roads near schools.

Oriol said police had also intensified visibility operations throughout the city.

“Naa tay gi-deploy nga police aside sa usual deployment. Moving patrol naa gyud kanunay sa kadalanan 24/7,” he said.

(We deployed additional police officers on top of our usual deployment. Mobile patrol units remain on the streets around the clock.)

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He added that police had not received reports of students falling victim to crimes since classes resumed.

“Wala tay nadawat reports sa crimes nga nabiktima ang students,” Oriol said.

(We have not received reports of students becoming victims of crime.)

Gangs, fraternities remain under watch

Despite the peaceful start of the school year, Oriol said police continued to monitor the possible resurgence of youth gangs and fraternity-related activities among students.

When asked whether gatherings involving student gangs remain a concern, Oriol confirmed that the issue ranked among the topics discussed under the police’s community engagement and anti-crime initiatives.

“Usa na siya sa important topics nga gi-discuss sa kauban nato sa Oplan Pakigsandurot. Usa na sa mga concern sa mga ginikanan, kana nga mga fraternities,” he said.

(That is one of the important topics we discussed under Oplan Pakigsandurot. Fraternities remained one of the concerns raised by parents.)

According to Oriol, police have started dialogues with fraternity leaders, school officials, and community stakeholders to discourage violence and prevent students from getting involved in illegal activities.

“Nakig-dialogue sila karon sa mga lahi-lahi nga fraternity ug schools kay ang uban naa man gyud responsible nga leaders,” he said.

(They are currently conducting dialogues with various fraternities and schools because some organizations have responsible leaders.)

However, he stressed that fraternity leaders must also take responsibility for disciplining their members.

“They need to discipline ilang mga sakop aron dili malihis ang kaugmaon sa mga estudyante,” Oriol said.

(They need to discipline their members so they will not derail the future of students.)

The police official said discussions among barangays, schools, and law enforcement agencies would continue throughout the school year.

Lessons from past incidents

The renewed focus on gangs and fraternities comes against the backdrop of several high-profile incidents in Cebu over the past few years involving youth violence, fraternity conflicts, and hazing.

Among the most serious cases was a gang-related drive-by shooting in Barangay Yati, Liloan, in May 2024 that killed a 16-year-old girl and injured two other minors. Authorities linked the attack to rival groups associated with the Bloods and Crips gangs.

Police also continued to cite two school-related incidents from 2022 that raised concerns about gang activity among students. One involved a Mabolo National High School student who was stabbed while walking home, while another student suffered injuries after a group of teenagers mauled him inside Regino Mercado Memorial National High School in Barangay Pahina Central.

The incidents fueled suspicions that school-based chapters of the Bloods and Crips had resumed recruitment and violent confrontations.

DepEd: No room for gang violence

The Department of Education in Central Visayas has repeatedly assured parents and students that it would not tolerate gang-related activities in schools.

Earlier, DepEd Central Visayas Regional Director Salustiano Jimenez said the agency had not received reports of gang-related incidents in public and private schools following the earlier cases involving minors.

Jimenez said school personnel had standing instructions to immediately address conflicts among students and prevent violence from escalating.

“Gang violence is a no-no in basic education,” he earlier stressed.

Police maintain heightened security

For now, the CCPO considers the opening of classes generally peaceful but continues to maintain heightened police visibility around schools and public areas.

Oriol said authorities would sustain patrol operations, coordinate with local governments and school officials, and closely monitor youth activities to prevent gangs and fraternities from influencing students.

“We continue to enforce the law not only during the opening of classes but throughout the year,” he said.

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