By Villamor C. Visaya Jr., Philippine Daily Inquirer News Correspondent
BAYOMBONG, NUEVA VIZCAYA, Philippines โ Local police and education officials in Bambang town in this province have launched an investigation into the bullying and physical assault of a Grade 8 female student by seven other female students at Bambang National High School on July 8.
Bambang Mayor Benjamin Cuaresma III formally requested school officials to probe the โroot causeโ of the incident in a letter addressed to school principal Luzviminda Cordero.
The mayor urged Cordero to determine the full details of the assault involving the seven students who ganged up on and attacked the victim.
The victim, a daughter of a vegetable trader at the Nueva Vizcaya Agricultural Terminal, was reportedly slapped, punched, and kicked multiple times. The assault, captured in a now-viral video allegedly taken by one of the aggressors, helped authorities identify the perpetrators through their school uniforms.
The video showed the victim being repeatedly slapped, pushed, and kicked, with the attackers appearing to enjoy and take pride in their actions. โThe students who bullied her seemed even happier and prouder of what they did,โ one of the victimโs relatives lamented.
The beating only stopped when a nearby store owner intervened.
Following the videoโs circulation, some of the students involved came forward accompanied by their parents.
The matter has since been referred to the studentsโ adviser, the schoolโs prefect of discipline, and the student leadership.
However, others involved have yet to cooperate with the investigation.
Bambang National High School has since initiated mediation proceedings to address the incident.
Police were also conducting a parallel probe into the incident.
But initial findings showed that the students, who were reportedly close friends, had consumed alcohol before the attack.
The altercation was believed to have stemmed from a personal dispute within their group.
School officials have strongly condemned the assault and noted that such behavior will not be tolerated.
โWe will not ignore this incident and will enforce appropriate measures based on school and Department of Education guidelines,โ Cordero told reporters.
The victimโs family has vowed to pursue criminal and civil charges against the students involved.
According to the police, the victim said her attackers were her own classmates and friends.
One of the attackers allegedly became furious over a negative remark and rumored gossip she supposedly spread. They reportedly seized her cell phone and took turns slapping her, with one of them een kicking and dragging her.
In the video, several girls could be seen striking the victim repeatedly and pushing her to the side of a grassy lot, with one of them even trampling over her.
โOur investigation seeks to establish full accountability and prevent future incidents,โ said Col. Jectopher Haloc, acting provincial police director of Nueva Vizcaya.
He added: โWe call on the public to help us promote a safe and secure school environment. We remain committed to preventing bullying through education and support.โ
Authorities were approaching the case cautiously due to the involvement of minors, who fall under the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act. This law prioritizes rehabilitation and reintegration over detention for underage offenders.
Under Republic Act No. 10627, or the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013, schools are mandated to adopt policies that address bullying and impose penalties for non-compliance.
