Content warning: This article contains mention of bullying.
Actor and Quezon City Councilor Alfred Vargas, along with his wife Yasmine, filed a criminal complaint against the parents of a minor who allegedly bullied their son during swimming activities.
In a social media post on Monday, April 13, Vargas shared that the complaint stemmed from a “pattern of conduct” where the said bully repeatedly pushed and held his son’s underwear during swimming training sessions. The bullying incidents occurred several times, despite appeals made by the Vargases to the parents of the bully to manage the child’s actions.
“Mayroon pa ngang ginawa yung bully na hindi talaga appropriate at sobrang sakit sa kalooban namin. Kinadyot niya yung anak ko sa malaswang paraan at nung nakita ng misis ko at sinabi sa nanay, tinawanan pa ng nanay at sinabi, ‘He’s just dancing!’,” Vargas said.
“Every time we go to the parents to try to resolve these issues, we were either dismissed or gaslighted,” he added.
The Quezon City Councilor furthered that things escalated during a swimming competition at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in February. During the warm-up period, Vargas said his son was almost injured before the competition after the bully pushed him at the side of the pool area. Following this, two of the bully’s friends laughed at his son, causing fear and emotional distress to the child.
Vargas also recalled how the mother of the said bully shrugged off the incident and pretended that nothing happened when he brought the matter to her attention. Moreover, he said that the mother posted “misrepresented content” online and never stopped.
“Bilang ama, may isang bagay na hindi mo kayang tiisin: ang makita ang anak mo na inaapi,” Vargas said in a statement. “The only regret we have is we didn’t do it sooner.”
“Ilan lang ang mga ito sa marami pang ginawa sa anak ko. Hindi ito simpleng ‘away ng bata.’ Hindi ito bagay na dapat palampasin,” he added.
Under the complaint, the Vargas couple emphasized that the respondents failed in their legal duty, specifically under the Family Code, to supervise and discipline their child.
The respondents, Juvelle Bacosa and Robert Vincent Sy, face charges for violation of Section 10(a) of Republic Act No. 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.
“Bullying is not normal. It is not harmless. It is not acceptable. Maaari sanang maiwasan ang insidente na ito kung hindi napabayaan ang bata ng magulang. Kaya ngayon, pinili naming lumaban. Hindi para maghiganti kundi para manindigan para sa anak ko at para sa lahat ng batang natatakot magsalita,” Vargas highlighted.
“Kung ikaw ay naging biktima ng bullying, o magulang na dumaan dito, alam kong hindi ito madali. Pero hindi tayo pwedeng manatiling tahimik. This is where it stops,” he added.
If you or someone you know is being bullied, help is available through the following hotlines:
National Emergency Hotline - Philippine National Police (PNP)
- Dial 911 (available 24/7 for immediate threats)
MAKABATA Helpline
- 1383 (CWC)
- 0919-354-1383 (Smart)
- 0915-802-2375 (Globe)
Bantay Bata Helpline
- Dial 163
- Contact them through their Facebook page: Bantay Bata 163
HOPELINE
- (02) 8804-4673
- Contact them through their Facebook page: Hopeline PH
NCMH Crisis Hotline (Mental Health Support)
- Dial 1553 or 1800-1888-1553
- 0917 899 8727 (Globe)
- 0919 057 1553 (Smart)
- Contact them through their Facebook page: NCMH Crisis Hotline
