BAGUIO CITY —Advocates from the Child Rights Network (CRN) are urging authorities to prioritize psychosocial intervention over purely punitive measures in bullying incidents.
Au Quilala, CRN Convener and Executive Director of the Philippine Legislative Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD), stressed that bullying must be treated as a systemic child protection issue for both the victim and the perpetrator.
Quilala said “Both the bullied child and the child responsible should have access to appropriate psychosocial support.”
In a statement, the network emphasized that while immediate safety and physical separation are paramount to prevent recurrence or ganging up, the child responsible must undergo proper behavioral assessment rather than permanent social stigma.
“No child should be defined forever by a harmful act,” CRN stated, highlighting that the bully’s family circumstances must be evaluated to address the root causes of violence.
The group also called for the strict enforcement of DepEd Order No. 40 (Series of 2012), which mandates zero tolerance for abuse and clear reporting mechanisms in schools, while urging Congress to review and amend Republic Act 10627 (Anti-Bullying Act of 2013) with children placed front and center in the discussion.
Quilala said ‘The policy also has a clear Reporting and Referral mechanism which should be known to all PTA members and displayed ubiquitously in school premises,” as calls to Congress to review and amend RA 10627 or the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013 and assure children, both in and out of schools are front and center of the discussions.
The Baguio community is reeling from the August 26 incident outside Pinget National High School, where video footage captured a male student, who has roots in the Lubo tribe of Tanudan, Kalinga, lying on the ground while being repeatedly punched, kicked, and struck with a belt by a fellow minor.
The viral video sparked online wjhisphers of a tribal retaliation which were quickly dispelled.
In a regional report by GURU Press, Tabuk City Mayor Jaedicke Rhoss Dagadag issued a firm assurance that the Lubo community seeks peaceful resolution of the incident.
“Awan met iti plano iti taga Lubo nga agaramid iti madi kada bumales. Iti kayat da met lang ket diay peace,” Dagadag stated, confirming that elders intend to respect legal processes and the wishes of the victim’s parents.
During an August 31 dialogue convened by Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong alongside Kalinga elders, school officials, and police, authorities likewise dispelled revenge rumors, noting that Kalinga culture prioritizes community dialogue.
Calls to expel those responsible for the bullying incident from school have mounted online, leading to heated discussion on policy and propriety after school administration imposed a five-day suspension to erring students.
Magalong clarified that an initial action to the 15 students involved was an early administrative measure by the school’s Child Protection Committee, with broader investigations by the Baguio City Police Office and City Social Welfare and Development Office ongoing. Maria Elena Catajan with reports from GURU Press and Baguio Public Information Office
