Baguio officials push stronger anti-bullying enforcement

BAGUIO CITY — City officials say they respect a family’s decision to accept an P800,000 out-of-court settlement following a schoolboy mauling incident in Barangay Pinget, but insist the aggressors must still face official consequences.

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong expressed dismay that commitments made during a previous dialogue with elders from the victim’s tribe were not fully realized.

His comments followed an amicable settlement where families of the students who caused harm agreed to pay P800,000, accompanied by a public, face-to-face apology to the victim and his family.

Magalong confirmed that despite the financial agreement, the city is proceeding with necessary intervention protocols.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development is conducting ongoing psychological assessments for all involved students. Magalong clarified that while sanctions will be imposed, the aggressors will not face prison time.

Meanwhile, City Councilor Edison R. Bilog is calling for continued legal prosecution under the city’s anti-bullying ordinance, even when private parties choose to settle out of court.

Bilog warned that routinely settling bullying cases through private agreements risks weakening broader efforts to deter future incidents.

He cited that law enforcement authorities can independently file charges if supported by clear evidence, such as closed-circuit television footage or video recordings, even without formal testimony from the victim.

Bilog urged community members to report bullying and serve as court witnesses when needed, stressing that curbing such incidents requires collective responsibility rather than placing the full burden on victims and their families.