Department of Education 11 (DepEd 11) spokesperson Jenielito Atillo said on Wednesday that schools, both public and private, in Davao Region are mandated to intensify the implementation of the DepEd Child Protection Policy to prevent abuse and bullying inside the schools.
This developed after two mauling incidents in Davao City involving minors were reported late last month.
On January 28, a 13-year-old student was beaten along Diversion Road, Davao City.
The 16-year-old suspect later surrendered to barangay officials in Barangay Ma-a after receiving several threats.
The latest was the mauling of a 15-year-old high school student on Avanceña Street in Davao City around 6 p.m. on January 31.
Based on the reports, the victim was attacked by seven minors, some using brass knuckles and striking the victim’s head with a soft drink bottle. The victim’s mother reported the incident to the authorities.
The victim sustained multiple wounds and bruises.
“Naa ta’y mga in placed policies nga ginamontar, first is the strict implementation of the Child Protection Policy ug guidance program nato sa sulod sa mga eskwelahan. Naa tay mechanism dinha if there is a problem the teachers should inform the guidance,” Atillo said during the Davao City Peace and Security Press Corps media briefing at The Royal Mandaya Hotel.
Atillo said DepEd has created a Child Protection Committee that involved barangay officials and parents, which is like a comprehensive system in the school wherein if a problem occurs in the school, the teacher immediately knows what to do.
“The cardinal rule is if there is an abused or a bullying situation the teacher nga nakakita should immediately act because it is a responsbility na dili nya unya malikayan once mahibal-an nga na aman diya siya tsansa nga muakto unya wala siya nilihok kay dili niya bata o istudyante,” Atillo said.
He added that through the Parents Teacher Association (PTA), DepEd is deploying security guards in the schools and the barangays are providing barangay functionaries, the Philippine National Police (PNP), and even Task Force Davao.
“Ma-control namo ang sulod sa school kay gibawal namo ng gangs, grupo grupo, in fact, there is a standing order sa tanang principal dugay na ni nga kung dunay magtapok tapok dinha without the approval of the highest ranking authority of the school, then kinahanglan sitahon ug sutaon na siya because dili lang gang ang atong ginalantaw kay naa pa laing problema nga involved sa mga kabataan,” Atillo said.
Atillo reminded that the proper behavior of the youth starts at home and that behavior is more about family upbringing than about the school policy.
“Basic unit of society ang panimalay gyud, dapat sa mga ginikanan kabalo sila kung unsa ang lihok sa ilang mga anak. Ang problema karon nganong daghan magtapok tapok lalom sa kagabion? tungod kay walay control ang panimalay nga hipuson ang ilang mga bata, patulugon ug sayo kay naay eskwela ugma,” he said.
