Classmates of slain Grade 7 student deny bullying the victim

The classmates of the Grade 7 student in Taytay, Rizal who died denied that they bullied him and that it was an outsider who threatened to beat up the minor.

In the report of GMA News' Steve Dailisan on "24 Oras," John Mark Lucero suffered from several injuries, including bleeding gums due to his swollen cheeks and bruises on his arms and legs.

Lucero was able to provide details of the bullying he suffered from his four classmates at the Manuel I. Santos Memorial National High School last March 24 to his mother and doctor before he fell into a coma.

On Monday, school officials summoned the parents of Lucero and his classmates.

"Nagulat na lang siya nung may balita kahapon," one parent said.

"Nakausap ko po iyong anak ko kanina e, sabi naman po niya hindi naman daw nila nilalapitan yun saka tahimik naman daw po yun e," another parent said.

Another parent said Lucero sought the help of her child after the victim was allegedly threatened by a still unknown outsider.

"Minsan nga galing sa school, [sabi niya] Mama meron akong kaibigan na ano, pero hindi naman namin siya ano kasi tahimik, inaabangan siya sa labas.' Yun lang, 'di ko na inintindi sir gawa ng busy din po kami," she said.

Lucero's mother was worried during the meeting after hearing the mothers of his classmates denied the statements of her son.

“Di pa bo 'di na nagsusumbong ang anak ko, tapos ngayon yung kwento niya hindi pa napatunayan? Ano pa pong hahabulin ko doon? Wala na iyong anak ko,” she said.

The Taytay Police said they will investigate the angle that an outsider hurt the 17 year-old, who died on Friday due to luekemia.

"Ayun po ang tinitingnan natin na kung talagang binugbog kasi ayon nga po sa apat, kasi iyong apat po ang sinasabi ng biktima bago pumanaw," said PO2 Ahrenz Comaad, who is investigating the case.

Comaad added Lucero's remains would first have to undergo an autopsy, saying "i-examine po natin kung ano ang cause of death ng biktima natin."

School officials have extended their condolences to the Lucero family but were unable to issue a statement as they are still in the process of preparing an incident report.

The school has an anti-bullying system in place and have pledged to add similar seminars.

"Napagharap nga iyong magulang tapos anak ko pa rin ang nadiin. Siya na iyong nawala siya pa madidiin," she said.

Lucero's mother said they are considering filing charges against those involved in the death of her child.

John Mark is the second of eight children who once dreamt of becoming a soldier one day. — Joseph Tristan Roxas/BAP, GMA News