30/08/2026
BCPO ASSURES EFFORTS TO ADDRESS BULLYING, HOLD MINORS ACCOUNTABLE
Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) City Director P/Col. Ruel Tagel assured that the police are exerting their best efforts to hold the minors involved in the bullying and mauling incidents in the city accountable, in line with Mayor Benjamin Magalong's call for a zero-tolerance policy against youth violence.
Tagel said that in the case of the reported bullying incident at Pinget National High School, the BCPO is prepared to file a legal action against the learners once the parents decide to pursue a legal complaint and discernment has been ascertained by the concerned office.
In the event the parents decide to forgo the complaint, the BCPO may still file a case against the Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL), with the police serving as the nominal complainant, Tagel said.
The police chief said they are awaiting the assessment of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) on whether the minors involved acted with discernment when they committed the offense, as part of the required procedure.
Acting with discernment meant the minors were able to "make a choice or take an action with clear understanding, good judgment and a deep awareness of right and wrong."
CSWDO Officer Liza Bulayungan said the office will conduct individual child assessments to formulate comprehensive Individual Intervention Programs (IIPs), which include evaluating discernment and the contextual factors surrounding the incident.
"We have to be thorough in determining whether or not they acted with discernment," Bulayungan said assuring that they will give priority to the case to fast-track the report.
Tagel said possible charges may include physical injuries under the Revised Penal Code. Depending on the medical evaluation of the victim, the charges may range from slight physical injuries to less serious or serious physical injuries, in view of the recorded punches and strikes using a belt as a weapon.
Another possible charge is grave coercion or threats for allegedly forcing the victim onto the ground to pose for humiliating pictures under threat of further physical harm.
Tagel said there are 15 students involved in the incident, all of whom are minors.
"Considering their ages and pending the determination of discernment, we will be subscribing to the applicable provisions of Republic Act No. 9344, Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, as amended by R.A. No. 10630, or an act strengthening the juvenile justice system in the handling and disposition of the case," Tagel said.
The police chief clarified that the suspension given by Pinget National High School is an administrative penalty and will not prejudice the function to pursue criminal or civil charges against the learners.
The five-day suspension imposed on the involved learners was decided as a disciplinary measure during the multi-stakeholder meeting held at the school on August 28, 2026 facilitated by the Child Protection Committee (CPC) of Pinget National High School, the Barangay Councils for the Protection of Children of Pinget, Pinsao Proper and Pinsao Pilot, the CSWDO, BCPO Station 2, parents and guardians, and the learners involved and the minor victim of the mauling incident.
Bulayungan said it was decided by the CPC based on applicable provisions of Department of Education Order No. 06, series of 2026.
Apart from the disciplinary interventions for the involved learners, the stakeholders also adopted measures covering protective measures for the minor victim, rehabilitative and support measures, and legal and social welfare actions.
"It was agreed that the interventions will prioritize the safety and welfare of the minor victim while ensuring due process and appropriate interventions for all minors involved," Bulayungan said.
She said the barangays of Pinget, Pinsao Proper and Pinsao Pilot also committed to strengthen community-level interventions for the protection of all the children involved.
Follow-up meetings will be conducted to monitor compliance with the agreed interventions and ensure the continued safety and welfare of all children involved. - Aileen P. Refuerzo
