Case of physical injuries filed vs. suspect in alleged bullying incident

Charges of physical injuries have been filed against one minor suspect in the alleged bullying incident  involving a 14-year old student of Pines City National High School last May 26 along Lake Drive at Burnham Park. 

Baguio City Police Office City Investigation and Detection Management Unit (BCPO-CIDMU) Chief P Lt. Col. Pablo Emmanuel Nead however clarified the incident does not fall within the purview of the Republic Act 10627, or the Anti-Bullying Act (the “Act”) of 2013 as it did not transpire in an educational institution as provided in the law.

The law is said to find applicability in school-related bullying, student-student bullying in particular and covers those uttered in social media.

BCPO City Director P Col. Glenn Lonogan in his report to Mayor Benjamin Magalong dated June 9, 2022 said the two of the five suspects in the incident had been identified.  The two were both females believed to be minors and members of a fraternity.

Lonogan however assured that all minor suspects in said incident “will be prosecuted based on the existing parameters of the Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL) under Republic Act 9344.”

Lonogan said that a joint investigation conducted by the CIDMU, the Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD) under PCpt. Leiza Batane and the WCPD of Police Station 7 said the victim was able to identify the two suspects in photos presented to her.

Further investigation will be conducted to also identify the rest of the group.

Coordination was also made with the Office of the City Social Welfare and Development Officer (OCSWDO) for endorsement of the minor suspects for counseling and other interventions.

“As to the intervention of this office to prevent the occurrence of the same, the WCPD is in the process of identifying the group leader where the female suspect belongs for dialogue purposes.  The BCPO also intensified the conduct of the beat or mobile patrols to deter similar incidents,” Lonogan said.

Mayor Magalong last June 1 ordered the police to investigate the incident and treat the case with utmost priority. – Aileen P. Refuerzo