Baguio school probes new bullying case

BAGUIO CITY — Pinget National High School in Baguio City is investigating fresh allegations of bullying and assault involving its pupils that were recorded on video outside school premises, according to an official school statement issued Oct. 7.

The alleged incident occurred on Sept. 18 in a subdivision in Barangay Pico in La Trinidad, and involved seven adolescents aged 13 to 14, according to the La Trinidad Municipal Police Station. Police did not provide details about the alleged offenses.

READ: Bullying goes beyond school grounds, child rights advocates say

Article continues after this advertisement

Six of them, including the victim, are residents of Baguio City, while the other student is from La Trinidad.

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

Police said the victim’s family filed a complaint on Oct. 6, after which the victim underwent a medical examination and received appropriate care.

The case was also endorsed to the La Trinidad Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office and the Baguio City Social Welfare and Development Office for intervention.

Pinget National High School said it took measures after receiving the report. The victim was given Psychological First Aid and a medical assessment, while arrangements were made for the student to catch up with classes remotely.

The learners involved were also provided processing and reflection activities, while a parent-teacher conference was conducted through the School Child Protection Committee. The school also coordinated with the La Trinidad Municipal Police Station and the Schools Division Office.

Article continues after this advertisement

A fact-finding process is ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine appropriate actions under existing child protection, anti-bullying and case-management policies.

The school urged the public not to record, share or disseminate any video, photograph or information related to the incident, citing learner privacy, data privacy and child protection policies.

Article continues after this advertisement

The latest case is separate from an earlier bullying case involving Pinget High School students in August.

The earlier incident occurred on Aug. 26 outside the school and involved Grade 9 and Grade 10 students. A video of the alleged assault circulated online, prompting authorities and school officials to intervene.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

Fifteen adolescents were involved in that case. During a multi-stakeholder meeting on Aug. 28, the Pinget Child Protection Committee suspended the children for five days as an administrative disciplinary measure, while other protective and rehabilitative activities were also initiated. /mcm