DepEd urges public to report bullying

The Department of Education on Thursday called on the public to report incidents of bullying that they witness.

Deped Director for Legal Services Suzette Medina told GMA News that victims will likely not report the incidents themselves.

“Makialam at magsumbong,” Medina said. “Hindi po puwedeng tumawa, makitawa, kasi baka po ang akala rin ng mga bully ay nakakatawa. Baka akala po nila ay OK lang po.”

Medina was reacting to online videos that recently went viral showing a male junior high school student bullying, kicking and punching his schoolmates.

“Physical, mental, emotional, lahat po that can harm another person, that is already bullying,” Medina clarified.

DepEd data as of June 25, 2018 shows that 22,059 incidents of bullying were reported all over the country in 2016 and 2017. Metro Manila had the highest number of reported incidents at 3,769.

Asked what victims should do when confronted by a bully, Medina advised, “Iwasan na lang. Huwag lapitan or huwag sagutin kung meron mang pangungutya.”

She also urged victims not to physically hit the bully back, saying that violence is "never justifiable."

Medina also does not advise humoring the bully. “Kapag susundin natin lahat ng ginagawa ng bully, lalo pong mamimihasa 'yan. So the best thing you can do is to report,” she said.

Medina said victims should tell their family and friends if they are being bullied. — BM, GMA News