A video on a student kicking a puppy within a university campus in Dumaguete City, Province of Negros Oriental circulated on social media.

The video was already taken down, but a netizen who is an animal rights advocate was able to upload it on his social media accounts. 

"Puppy kicked at Silliman [University]. I can't get a lot if information since they're deleting the videos being posted. Watch before this gets deleted," the netizen who shared the video said in his first post on Friday, April 4, 2025. 

In an updated post, he said that "the person who has done this will be making a public apology. This is not her dog and it is currently with the owner and is safe. SU has also made a statement...Note: I do not condone violence. We need to know if the puppy is okay and we need to know that this person will never do this again."

Further, he shared a message from the student in his next post.

The message reads, in toto, “Hello po good day. I’d like to clarify some things. About the ownership of the puppy I was feeling very nervous and didn’t know what to do na. I truly deeply regret my actions. It was not my intention for it to reach this point. The puppy is in with Aleyx [friend] and has been with her since. She adopted it a few weeks ago. She brought it to school because she didn’t ask permission from her family yet to adopt the pup, that’s why she brought it to school with her. She was playing with the puppy in AH grounds that’s where it was filmed. I apologize for how I handled this situation. The puppy is safe with Aleyx and was never with me. I also already apologized to the owner and she advised me to apologize publicly too which is what I will do. It was never my intention to harm the pup, po. Again, I’m really sorry." 

In a statement, Silliman University (SU) said it is aware of the video circulating online involving one of its students kicking a dog within the campus. “The University is gathering information about the incident and ensuring the public that appropriate and necessary actions are carefully taken,” SU’s statement reads.

“The University does not condone cruelty toward animals. Thus, it urges all students, faculty, and staff to value and respect all forms of life on campus,” the statement added. 

STATEMENT ON ANIMAL CRUELTY 

The Silliman University Student Government (SUSG) Advocacy Committee has released an official statement that condemns strongly the act.

“A recently circulating video of a Sillimanian student harming a defenseless dog is an appalling act of cruelty, of which the SUSG Advocacy Committee strongly condemns. Such actions demonstrate blatant and absolute disregard for the welfare of the animals and reflect a disturbing lack of empathy. Animal cruelty is not only a morally unacceptable act but a serious offence [offense] under Philippine law.”

“Under Republic Act No. 8485, also known as the Animal Welfare Act of 1998, as amended by Republic Act No. 10631, any person who subjects an animal to cruelty, maltreatment or neglect faces legal consequences. Physical abuse to pets can lead to six (6) months to one (1) year in prison or a fine of up to ₱30,000 or both, with the harshest penalties for certain acts that lead to death can have a maximum time of three (3) years in prison or a fine of up to ₱250,000, or both. This law exists to ensure that animals, as sentient beings, are treated with dignity and respect.”

“Moreover, Silliman University has pledged itself as a wildlife sanctuary, strictly prohibiting the harming of any wildlife species. This act is not reflective of Silliman’s values. Acts of harm against animals have no place in a compassionate and responsible society, and it is our collective duty to foster an environment of kindness and accountability. Regardless whether it is a known pet, stray, or unfamiliar, abuse is abuse.”

“The SUSG Advocacy Committee remains committed to upholding animal welfare and urges the Silliman community to allow the appropriate offices to handle the situation through due process. We urge the university community to remain vigilant in preventing and speaking out against acts of harm.”

STATEMENT FROM HISTORY-POLITICAL SCIENCE SOCIETY 

Further, the Silliman University History and Political Science Society has stood firm against animal cruelty and called for accountability.

“The SU Histo-PolSci Society upholds values and believes that justice does not apply only to humans but as well as animal welfare. In lieu of this, History-Political Science Officer and SUSG CAS [College of Arts] Representative Franz Lam Tero filed a formal complaint against the persons involved against this malicious act of cruelty. The issue is currently under investigation by the Department,” the society’s statement reads.