Baguio schools grapple with bullying incidents

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Bullying incidents in Baguio public schools, including violent episodes recorded and circulated on social media, have raised concern as the Department of Education (DepEd) works to address eight reported cases since June.

Four of the incidents were violent episodes recorded on video and shared online, according to Jerry Ymson, focal person of the DepEd Baguio Learners’ Rights and Protection Office.

One video showed teenage boys assaulting another boy as bystanders laughed. Schools have appealed to the public to stop sharing the videos, which involve minors.

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The eight cases are part of 20 bullying incidents documented by the Baguio City Schools Division from June 2024 to March 2026, Ymson said.

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

The latest case involving students of Pinget National High School is still being validated under DepEd Order No. 006, series of 2026, which sets procedures and sanctions for learner protection cases.

Probe under way

Ymson said the incident could be classified as Level 3, the most serious category, because it involved physical assault. However, he stressed that the school must complete its investigation and observe due process before imposing sanctions.

“We have to wait for the school to finish its investigation before we can move forward,” Ymson said.

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A Level 3 case could warrant exclusion from school, but the authority to impose such a sanction rests with the DepEd secretary.

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The students could also face criminal charges under Baguio’s antibullying ordinance if the victim’s parents pursue a case.

According to Ymson, the incidents also exposed the shortage of guidance personnel in Baguio public schools.

The city schools division oversees 45 elementary and 22 junior and senior high schools but has only 10 guidance counselors, Ymson said. It also lacks psychologists for specialized mental health support.

Schools share available counselors, while DepEd partners with higher education institutions for additional support. Cases needing specialized intervention may be referred to the Philippine Mental Health Association, although referrals can take time because of its long queue.

Police are also investigating the Pinget incident, which reportedly occurred outside the school at around 3 p.m. on Aug. 26. A separate bullying case involving Grade 7 and Grade 9 students was reported to Police Station 5 after an alleged incident inside a classroom on Aug. 24.

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Mayor Benjamin Magalong said violence, bullying, harassment and abuse have no place in Baguio. The National Union of Students of the Philippines-Cordillera called for more counselors and mental health professionals. —WITH A REPORT FROM MAUREEN MATAYEW