BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — A series of reported bullying incidents, including violent episodes that circulated on social media, has put renewed pressure on Baguio schools and education officials—not only to hold those responsible accountable, but to confront a deeper problem: a severe shortage of guidance and mental health personnel.
The Department of Education’s Baguio City Schools Division has been dealing with eight reported bullying cases since June, four of which involved violent incidents recorded on video and shared online, according to the division’s Learners’ Rights and Protection Office.
Officials and schools have appealed to the public to stop circulating videos involving minors, warning that repeated online sharing can further harm the children involved.
The latest reports are part of a wider pattern. The Baguio City Schools Division documented 20 bullying incidents from June 2024 to March 2026, highlighting concerns about student safety both inside and outside school premises.
Investigations Underway as Schools Observe Due Process
One of the incidents involving students of Pinget National High School remains under validation under DepEd’s learner protection procedures. Because the reported incident involved physical assault, officials said it could potentially fall under the most serious category of learner protection cases—but stressed that no final classification or sanction should be made until the investigation is completed and due process is observed.
Police are also investigating reported incidents, including one that allegedly occurred outside a school and another involving students inside a classroom.
Separate reporting by The Philippine Star said police were probing two bullying cases involving high school students in Baguio, while education officials and school authorities continued coordinating with parents and guardians. The incidents have prompted renewed calls for stronger intervention rather than treating each case as an isolated episode.
Just 10 Guidance Counselors for Dozens of Schools
Perhaps the most troubling issue revealed by the recent cases is the lack of personnel available to support students before conflicts escalate.
The Baguio City Schools Division oversees 45 elementary schools and 22 junior and senior high schools, yet it reportedly has only 10 guidance counselors. The division also lacks psychologists who can provide specialized mental health interventions.
Schools have been sharing available counselors and seeking assistance through partnerships with higher education institutions and mental health organizations. But referrals for specialized services can take time, creating another challenge for students who need immediate and sustained support.
The problem is not limited to Baguio. Earlier this month, the Philippine Information Agency reported that DepEd-Cordillera recorded 90 bullying cases across the region during School Year 2025–2026, as officials stepped up anti-bullying and mental health initiatives. Regional education officials have also acknowledged the need to fill vacant guidance positions and strengthen referral networks for learners needing professional support.
Beyond Punishment: The Call for Prevention
The recent incidents have reignited an important question: Can schools truly prevent bullying when the people tasked with guiding and supporting students are stretched too thin?
While investigations and possible sanctions remain necessary where wrongdoing is established, educators and child protection advocates have long emphasized that prevention must go beyond punishment. Early intervention, accessible counseling, values education, parental involvement and stronger reporting mechanisms all play a role in creating safer learning environments.
DepEd-Cordillera has also pointed to child protection programs and values-based education as important tools in addressing bullying, recognizing that the problem can involve social, psychological and behavioral factors that require more than disciplinary action alone.
Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong has reiterated that violence, bullying, harassment and abuse have no place in the city, while student groups have called for more guidance counselors and mental health professionals in schools.
A Wake-Up Call for Schools and Communities
The viral videos may have brought public attention to the issue, but officials are urging the public not to let online outrage become the only response.
The children seen in these incidents are minors, and investigations are still ongoing. What is already clear, however, is that the challenge facing Baguio schools extends beyond a single video or a single campus.
The bigger question now is whether schools will be given enough counselors, mental health professionals and resources to stop bullying before another student becomes the next headline.
As authorities continue their investigations, the incidents serve as a stark reminder that keeping students safe requires more than reacting after violence occurs—it requires building a system capable of listening, intervening and protecting young people when they need help most.
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