Metro Manila had the highest number of bullying incidents last year —DepEd

The National Capital Region (NCR) had the highest number of bullying incidents from 2016 to 2017, according to the Department of Education (DepEd).

A Balitanghali report by Mariz Umali on Friday quoted 2016-2017 data from the DepEd as showing that the NCR had 3,769 incidents, followed by Region 10 with 2,455; Region 11 with 1,980; and Region 12 with 1,957.

The DepEd data also showed that incidents of bullying became more prevalent in recent years, with the number of incidents ballooning from 1,190 recorded in 2013- 2014 to 10,339 in 2014-2015.

The number even tripled to 32,129 incidents reported in 2015-2016. In 2016-2017, the number of incidents decreased to 22,059.

Discussion about bullying once again emerged amid the viral videos of an Ateneo Junior High School student caught throwing punches and kicks to another student.

The department said bullying incidents should be monitored, especially if both the aggresor and the victim are both children.

Republic Act 10627 or the Anti-Bullying Act states that acts of bullying include "severe or repeated use by one or more students if a written, verbal or electronic expression, or a physical act of gesture, or any combination thereof, directed at another student that has the effect of actually causing or placing the latter in a reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm or damage to his property."

Psychiatrist Maria Bernadette Manalo explained some factors that could contribute to a person to turn into a bully or aggressor.

"Puwedeng siya mismo ay biktima ng abuse. Puwede rin naman na may mga insecurities siya na tinatago niya sa pamamagitan ng bullying. At may mga problema sa kaniyang katauhan na na-a-address or nailalabas niya sa pamamagitan ng pagiging astig," Manalo said.

"Parang hindi siya bata, parang 10 years older siya. Saan ba nanggagaling ang mga salita na ito? Could it be in the environment outside? Where, hindi natin alam. Kaya talaga tingnan natin ang ugat ng lahat ng pangyayaring ito," Manalo added.

Manalo reiterated that parents have the responsibility to mold their children, which starts at home. — Jamil Santos/MDM, GMA News