The Department of Justice (DOJ) will issue a department order directing local prosecution offices to receive complaints related to bullying, following the shooting incident at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City.
DOJ Undersecretary Ian Norman Dato said the directive, in line with the commitment made by Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida, will authorize local prosecution offices and the DOJ Action Center to accept and process bullying complaints.
Under the planned order, prosecutors may assess complaints, facilitate mediation, or refer cases to the concerned school, which has primary jurisdiction, or to the Philippine National Police’s Women and Children Protection Desk when necessary.
“So pwede po niya itong i-assess, pwede niyang i-mediate, pwede niyang i-refer to the school na may primary jurisdiction o kaya i-refer sa Women and Children Protection Desk ng Philippine National Police,” Dato said.
Dato emphasized that the DOJ’s move reflects its commitment to combating bullying and safeguarding children’s rights, as mandated by the Constitution and international agreements on child protection.
“Kailangan lang pong bigyan diin na ito ay isang pamamaraan na mayroong access iyong biktima at parents na maliban sa paaralan mayroon silang ibang ahensya na malalapitan at madudulugan,” he said.
He added that the measure aims to give victims of bullying and their parents another avenue to seek assistance beyond the school system.
