NETIZENS are demanding accountability from a private Catholic school in Marikina City after a senior high school student collapsed and died during the school’s intramurals on Saturday, February 22.
In a statement posted on their Facebook page, the Our Lady of Perpetual Succor College (OLOPSC) confirmed the death of their student, Shann Mikhail Estaquio.
“Shann Mikhail Estaquio was playing basketball during our yearly Senior High School Mini-Olympics when he suddenly collapsed. Despite the urgent response from our experienced emergency medical responders prior to the arrival of the ambulance, unfortunately Shan expired at the hospital at around 11:06 a.m.,” said OLOPSC in their post.
Although the school has reassured the public that they’re “continuously putting a premium to the total well-being of our community”, some students took to social media to express their dismay over the school’s response to the incident.
One reddit post claimed that during the incident, students tried to get help from the outside but the guards prohibited them from leaving.
“Students tried to get help from outside, but you know what happened? The guards said,’Bawal lumabas’,” the redditor claimed.
JD Verzosa, a deputy from Philippine Normal University USC Central Student Council, compiled screenshots from the internet posted by the OLOPSC students that alleged that OLOPSC’s response was not immediate despite the urgency of the situation.
Screenshot by JD Verzosa
Screenshot by JD Verzosa
Verzosa, who himself is a student, joins the others who call for justice.
“This incident shows the critical issue in our society, where academic institutions seem more focused on profits than on the safety, security, and well-being of their learners. I am dismayed by the possibility that this matter, like many before it, may be swept under the rug as the school prioritizes its reputation and attempts to whitewash the incident,” he said.
“I stand with the family, friends, classmates, and fellow students in demanding accountability and justice for the lack of necessary action and responsibility,” he added.
On OLOPSC’s post on Facebook that commemorates their late student, a lot of netizens called them out.
Screenshot from Facebook
Screenshot from Facebook
The Student Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP) also expressed their dismay over OLOPSC’s handling of the incident. Under the hashtags #JusticeForShann and #HoldOLOPSC accountable, they alleged that OLOPSC is trying to “downplay” the incident.
“This is not just incompetence; this is negligence that cost a young person’s life. A school of such stature should be able to afford qualified medical professionals on standby, especially during could-be high-risk events like intramurals,” they said.
“Their failure to do so, along with their alleged efforts to suppress discussions and erase evidence, speaks volumes about their priorities—protecting their image over ensuring the safety and well-being of their students,” wrote SCAP.
“We demand justice for Shann Eustaquio and we demand full accountability from OLOPSC. A mere financial offer for funeral expenses cannot undo this irreversible loss. The school must be held responsible for its failure to provide proper medical assistance and ensure student safety. This tragedy should not be silenced or forgotten.”
SCAP stated that it is actively coordinating with the OLOPSC Senior High School Student Council and students who witnessed the incident to pursue further collective action.
