As the Department of Education (DepEd) disclosed that there are around 80,000 recorded cases of bullying among students nationwide, the capital town of Mountain Province has taken action on a bullying case involving a so-called martial artist and two minors in Bontoc, Mountain Province.

A video taken on 8 April 2025, showed a 19-year-old male reportedly using Muay Thai techniques on a 14-year-old boy and a 16-year-old boy in front of Sta. Rita Church in Bontoc town. The 19-year-old, a Grade 12 student, kicked the two boys on their bodies and heads while other children watched.

The video was shared online and quickly went viral, drawing widespread outrage from netizens. It eventually reached the local government of Bontoc.

In a statement, the local government of Bontoc disclosed that the 19-year-old male had been taken into police custody, but was later released pending the filing of a formal complaint.

The two victims, meanwhile, will receive counseling from the social workers of the Bontoc Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) on 10 April 2025. The counseling will be conducted in collaboration with the Women and Children Protection Desk of the Philippine National Police (WCPD-PNP). The local government will also provide technical assistance to the parents of the two minors should they choose to pursue legal action against the assailant.

"As a community, we do not tolerate any form of bullying. I urge everyone to come together to ensure the safety, protection, and well-being of our children and our community as a whole," the town government said.

During a Senate hearing, the DepEd claimed it has employed broader measures to prevent, report, and respond to abuse in the basic education sector. Among these is the Child Protection Specialization Course, which aims to equip school personnel with the necessary knowledge, skills, and attitudinal shift to manage learner protection concerns more effectively.