Providencia Mayor Jaime Bellolio has denounced claims that students involved in recent incidents at Liceo Lastarria were paid to participate in acts of violence. The information was originally reported by biobiochile.cl.
In a recent statement, the municipal leader noted that a minor confessed that "someone had paid him to do this." According to Bellolio, there are adults orchestrating these events, using young people as pawns to attack the public education system.
The incidents took place last Monday, when two minors, aged 13 and 15, were detained by their own classmates and a school staff member. The mayor praised the students' bravery, noting that their actions helped reclaim the school as a safe space for learning.
Proposal to use K9 units for school security
In response to the escalating violence, Bellolio proposed implementing detection dogs at the entrances of schools within the commune. The goal is to identify flammable materials or accelerants that metal detectors fail to detect.
“Metal detectors are not enough, because the problems we are facing in these eight schools (…) are creating an explosive effect that lowers the quality of public education,” the mayor explained. He aims to prevent the area's landmark high schools from being stigmatized.
The mayor also recalled an arson attack that occurred two weeks ago at the same school, where three hooded individuals caused significant damage. Bellolio mentioned that two of the attackers had previously been expelled from other institutions under the 'Aula Segura' (Safe Classroom) regulations.
The local authority called upon lawmakers to protect public education and eradicate organized violence. Bellolio distinguished between cases of school-based disciplinary issues and incidents he considers to be acts of political and extreme violence.
Finally, the mayor confirmed that the expulsion process for those involved will begin through the 'Aula Segura' mechanism. The municipal administration seeks to ensure that schools in Providencia no longer serve as stages for coordinated attacks.
