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 Investigation and Detection Management Unit (Cidmu) Head, Lt/Col. Pablo Emmanuel Nead however clarified the incident does not fall within the purview of Republic Act 10627, or the Anti-Bullying 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, Col. Glenn Lonogan in his report to Mayor Benjamin Magalong dated June 9 said 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 assured that all minor suspects in said the incident will be prosecuted based on the parameters of the Children in Conflict with the Law under Republic Act 9344.
Lonogan said joint investigation conducted by the Cidmu, the Women and Children Protection Desk under Cpt. 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 City Social Welfare and Development Office 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.
Last June 1, the mayor ordered the police to investigate the incident and treat the case with utmost priority. – Aileen P. Refuerzo
