The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported Sunday that two minors accused of bullying a fellow student at the Basilan National High School are now under the custody of a state facility tasked with reforming Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL).
This developed after the victim’s father filed a formal complaint at the Isabela City Police Station (ICPS) regarding a June 25 incident, when his 15-year-old son was allegedly assaulted by his two schoolmates near a restroom.
According to the father, the suspects reportedly forced his son to smoke. When he refused, they punched, kicked, and hit his head against the wall several times. One of the suspects also allegedly pulled out a knife and threatened to stab his son.
The victim sustained injuries and was rushed to a hospital in Isabela City. He was later transferred to Zamboanga City to receive further medical attention. The father said he filed complaint only last July 4 as he was attending to his son and could not obtain a medico-legal certificate immediately.
The Basilan National High School acknowledged the seriousness of the charges and reported the same to the ICPS on June 30. It also confirmed the authenticity of the video that spread on social media featuring the bullying incident.
Pursuant to the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Law, the suspects were taken to a CICL center. The ICPS also coordinated with the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the school to provide counseling services to the victim and conduct intervention programs to the minors involved.
PNP Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III welcomed the actions of the ICPS and thanked the public for sharing the video, which allowed the authorities to take immediate action. “Bullying is not just a school issue but the responsibility of all of us,” he said.
“The safety and well-being of every child is one of the primary duties of the Philippine National Police. We do not tolerate any form of violence or abuse—especially within schools, where our children should be safe,” Torre noted.