Capiz bullying cases hit 203 since 2024

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — Bullying cases in Capiz have reached 203 since 2024, according to data from the Department of Education Capiz Schools Division.

The data, covering January 2024 to June 29, 2026, showed 104 bullying cases from 2024 to 2025, 89 cases from 2025 to 2026, and 10 cases from January to June 29 this year.

Physical bullying accounted for the highest number of cases.

DepEd recorded 66 physical bullying cases from 2024 to 2025, 33 cases from 2025 to 2026, and 10 cases from January to June 29 this year.

Social bullying ranked second, followed by retaliation, cyberbullying, and gender-based bullying.

Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Roel Bermejo said bullying is one of the reasons students engage in misconduct inside and outside schools.

He said bullying can negatively affect the emotional and mental well-being of young people, making them aggressive or difficult to manage.

During a press conference Wednesday afternoon, July 1, at the DepEd Capiz Schools Division Office, Bermejo stressed the need for stronger cooperation among parents, teachers, schools, and communities to prevent bullying and protect students’ behavior and welfare.

He said DepEd’s Child Protection Policy and other programs should guide stronger initiatives to prevent bullying and ensure that schools remain safe, inclusive, and conducive to learning.

DepEd also urged the public to immediately report any form of bullying so it can be addressed promptly.

Maayon minors in custody after alleged marijuana use

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — Two minors who allegedly suffered adverse effects after using dried marijuana leaves have been placed under protective custody and case management by the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office of Maayon, Capiz.

The Maayon MSWDO said the two minors are under the care of social workers at the town’s crisis center.

A psychometrician regularly visits the minors for counseling and rehabilitation.

Their parents also underwent separate counseling.

The MSWDO said the intervention aims to determine what happened and what caused the minors to use illegal substances.

The Maayon MSWDO is awaiting the police examination results on the substance and a court order related to the students’ case.

The students will continue their studies through modular learning while under protective custody.

Their teachers have also visited them and brought their modules.

Police are investigating persons of interest who may have supplied the dried marijuana leaves allegedly used by the minors.