MANILA - The Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday sought justice for the "barbaric murder" of a 16-year old high school student in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

"The Department extends its deepest condolences to the grieving family and requests the DepEd community for voluntary contribution to provide the bereaved with adequate financial assistance," DepEd said in a press statement.

• 16 anyos na babae natagpuang patay, kita ang bungo sa Cebu

The victim was identified as a student of the Maribago High School. She was first reported missing by her mother after she failed to return home from serving as collector in church on Sunday.

Her body was discovered the following morning. She was reportedly raped and skinned to the skull.

A memorandum has already been issued by the DepEd Schools Division Office of Lapu-Lapu City reminding all public schools and private elementary and secondary schools to strengthen existing rules and policies on school safety.

It further enumerated security measures such as restricting practices for school presentations and other school-related activities until 5 p.m. only; instructing school heads to advise learners to bring packed lunch or snacks instead of buying food outside school premises; ensuring that fully functional CCTV cameras are installed in strategic areas; requesting additional presence of police or barangay tanod in the area; and advising students to always go in groups when out on the streets, especially when it is already dark.

"As the Department calls on the local government unit and the police to swiftly bring to justice the cold-blooded criminals, it likewise enjoins the public in the shared responsibility of protecting children from all forms of abuse, violence, exploitation, and threat," the statement added.