Quezon City Councilor Alfred Vargas and his wife Yasmine are set to elevate their complaint against the parents of their child’s bully to the Department of Justice (DOJ) after their motion for reconsideration was junked by the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office.
Previously, the prosecutor’s office dismissed the Vargas couple’s complaint against Rob Sy and his partner Juvelle Bacosa.
“It’s a sad day for our family, but we continue to hold our heads high. Napakasakit para sa amin bilang magulang na mabalitaan na na-deny ang aming Motion for Reconsideration. Masakit dahil tila binalewala pa rin ang mga matibay na ebidensyang inihain namin,” Alfred said in a post on Instagram.
He maintained that his and Yasmine’s complaint did not rely on “mere speculation,” having presented “clear, categorical, and positive testimonies” gathered from a number of eyewitnesses attesting to the bullying their son was subjected to.
Alfred added that they had included a psychiatric evaluation report indicating their son’s Adjustment Disorder diagnosis, which he said proves the “severe trauma, anxiety, and deep fear” his son carries.
“Kung ang mga matitibay na ebidensya at medikal na diagnosis na katulad ng sa anak namin ay madaling ibasura sa preliminary investigation pa lang, anong mensahe ang ibinibigay natin sa lipunan? Na okay lang i-trivialize ang trauma ng isang bata?” Alfred pointed out.
“Bakit hirap makahanap ng hustisya para sa mga inaapi at inaabuso?” he added.
In April this year, Alfred and his wife filed the initial criminal complaint against the parents of a minor who has allegedly been bullying their son during swimming activities.
The respondents had allegedly violated Section 10(a) of Republic Act No. 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.
