By Stephanie Sevillano | Philippine News Agency
Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara on Friday sought the assistance of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) on the alleged bullying reported at Bagong Silangan High School.
A video uploaded on social media showed a girl being attacked by several classmates inside a classroom.
In a letter addressed to QCPD Director PBGEN. Melecio Buslig Jr. and shared with the Philippine News Agency, Angara said the incident involved minors and needed to be handled with expertise and sensitivity.
“The Department of Education (DepEd) has initiated internal protocols to ensure that the matter is addressed with urgency and care,” he said.
“While we have instructed the school to expedite its investigation and extend support to the affected learners, we also recognize that certain aspects of the incident may require your office’s expertise—particularly in maintaining the safety of the school community,” the letter read.
In particular, Angara sought collaboration between DepEd’s Learner Rights and Protection Office (LRPO) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) Women and Children Protection Desk.
“Your specialized training, experience, and established protocols in handling such cases are instrumental in ensuring that all parties, especially the children involved, are treated with compassion, dignity, and due process,” he said.
Earlier, the DepEd ordered the conduct of a swift probe and vowed to continue upholding learners’ safe spaces and protection against bullying.
“We have instructed the school to expedite the investigation and provide the necessary support to the involved learners,” DepEd Media Relations chief Dennis Legaspi said in a separate statement.
“We emphasize that addressing bullying requires a unified and comprehensive approach. It is imperative that learners, teachers, parents, and school leaders work together to establish a safe and supportive environment for all members of the school community.”
In terms of the probe’s timeline, Legaspi told the PNA that the DepEd central office commits to accomplish the investigation “as soon as possible.”
A meeting with the Child Protection Committee of the school will also be conducted.
Assistance both to the victim learner and other involved students will be provided throughout the process, he added.
Moreover, the LRPO will review the school’s compliance with the anti-bullying policy, provide technical aid to the school for preventive measures and proper responses, and train staff if needed.