April 5, 2025 — Inimbestigahan ng Department of Education (DepEd) ang isang insidente ng bullying sa Bagong Silangan High School sa Quezon City.

Umani ng matinding atensyon ang kaso matapos kumalat ang isang viral video na nagpapakitang inaatake ng tatlong babaeng estudyante ang isang kamag-aral, hinatak ang kanyang buhok, at kinaladkad siya sa sahig.

Ayon kay DepEd Media Relations Chief Dennis Legaspi, “We have instructed the school to expedite the investigation and provide the necessary support to the involved learners. We are committed to ensuring that the bullying victim and all affected learners receive the support they need and their safety and well-being are prioritized throughout the investigation process.”

Kinilala ng pamunuan ng paaralan ang insidente at tiniyak sa publiko ang kanilang determinasyong tugunan ito. “Bullying in any form is strictly prohibited, and we will take all necessary steps to address this matter. The safety and well-being of our students are our top priority,” saad ng kanilang pahayag.

Humingi rin ng tulong ang DepEd sa Quezon City Police District (QCPD) para matiyak ang kaligtasan ng buong school community. Binigyang-diin ni Education Secretary Sonny Angara ang kahalagahan ng pagtutulungan sa pagitan ng DepEd Learner Rights and Protection Office at ng Philippine National Police Women and Children Protection Desk.

"Your specialized training, experience, and established protocols in handling such cases are instrumental in ensuring that all parties, especially the children involved, are treated with compassion, dignity, and due process," sulat ni Angara kay QCPD Director Brig. Gen. Melecio Buslig Jr.

Ipinapakita ng insidente ang patuloy na problema ng bullying sa mga paaralan sa Pilipinas. Batay sa datos ng DepEd, tumaas ang naitalang kaso ng bullying mula 1,158 noong 2013 hanggang 20,172 noong 2018, sa kabila ng pagkakapasa ng Anti-Bullying Act of 2013. Nangakong rerepasuhin ng DepEd ang pagsunod ng paaralan sa mga polisiya kontra bullying at magbibigay ng karagdagang training sa mga guro kung kinakailangan.

Muling iginiit ng DepEd ang kanilang paninindigang lumikha ng ligtas at sumusuportang kapaligiran para sa lahat ng mag-aaral.

"Addressing bullying requires a unified and comprehensive approach. It is imperative that learners, teachers, parents, and school leaders work together to establish a safe and supportive environment for all members of the school community," sabi ni Legaspi.

Image courtesy of Roshell Cañelas Martin