The local government of Pasig City said on Tuesday, October 15, it is now coordinating with the Schools Division Office (SDO) to investigate the now-viral video of a bullying incident.
It stated that it does not condone acts of bullying and takes any form of bullying seriously.
“We are coordinating closely with the Schools Division Office of Pasig, who has primary jurisdiction to investigate, resolve, and prescribe further interventions to address bullying within and outside school premises,” it said.
“We shall ensure that appropriate actions through proper channels are taken,” it added.
In the video, a male student wearing the city's school shirt was seen being forced to kneel and then punched and slapped multiple times by another boy while being scolded.
On Monday, October 14, the mother of the victim took to social media to express her sentiments.
“Ok na po nagkausap na po kami wag na po mag isip nang masama, pero hindi ibig sabihin ay magpapatawad dahil ilalaban pa rin namin ang nangyari sa anak ko sa legal na paraan. Sa gumawa nito sa anak ko, ang awa ko ay nandito sa puso, alam nang dios ‘yan (It’s settled. We’ve already talked, so there’s no need to think negatively. However, this doesn’t mean we will forgive easily, as we will still pursue legal action for what happened to my child. To the one who did this, my mercy remains in my heart—God knows that),” she said.
“Napakabata mo pa pero hindi ka matututo ‘pag pinatawad lang kita. Nalulungkot ako at naghahalo ang emosyon sa pagpapatawad at pagmamahal sa anak. Hindi mo inalam ang katotohanan sinaktan mo agad ang anak ko!! Hindi n’yo alam ang takot na papasukin ang anak ko sa school. Paano na pag-aaral ba niya, yung takot na isang araw baka mas malala pa mangyari. Mahina ako pagdating sa anak ko eh, doon mo ko nasira! (You are still very young, but you won’t learn if I just forgive you. I feel sad, and my emotions are mixed with forgiveness and love for my child. You didn’t seek the truth, you immediately hurt my child! You don’t know the fear I feel in sending my child to school. What about their education? The fear that one day something worse might happen. I am weak when it comes to my child),” she added.
Meanwhile, the local government urged the public to be cautious about sharing the video, stating, “For the protection of both students, we enjoin everyone to be more circumspect in sharing the video/s.”