CHR Supports 911 Reporting of School Bullying Cases

By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) welcomed the move to allow bullying incidents to be reported via the national 911 hotline but stressed that schools must remain proactive in preventing such cases on their campuses.

In a statement issued Thursday, the CHR lauded the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) directive, describing it as an important step in enhancing child protection mechanisms.

“The CHR welcomes the recent directive of the PNP, allowing incidents of bullying in schools to be reported through the 911 emergency hotline,” the commission said.

“This initiative is a significant step in enhancing child protection mechanisms by ensuring that cases of bullying can be urgently and easily reported.”

However, the CHR cautioned that the primary responsibility for addressing bullying still lies with school administrators.

Republic Act No. 10627, or the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013, mandates that elementary and secondary schools adopt anti-bullying policies and procedures.

“The CHR also emphasizes that the primary responsibility for addressing bullying in schools remains with the school administration,” it said.

“Educational institutions must ensure swift, appropriate, and child-sensitive responses to reports of bullying, in accordance with the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013.”

The commission also reminded authorities that children reported to the hotline must not be treated as criminals.

They cited Article XV, Section 3 of the 1987 Constitution, which guarantees special protection for children against all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation, and other conditions harmful to their development.

The Philippines is also a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which obligates states to ensure the protection and care of children.

“Students alleged to be involved in bullying must not be treated as criminals,” the CHR said.

“Interventions should focus on restorative and developmental approaches that aim to correct behavior, ensure accountability, and promote a culture of empathy and respect among peers.”

“Every child—whether victim, perpetrator, or witness—deserves protection of their rights, dignity, and welfare.”

The CHR reiterated its commitment to working with the PNP, the Department of Education, and other stakeholders to prevent and eliminate bullying and its harmful effects on children’s development.

Newly appointed PNP Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III announced on June 16, the first day of classes for basic education, that bullying incidents may now be reported via 911.

Call center operators will refer reports to local police stations, which will coordinate with school heads.

Data from the 2022 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) show that 43 percent of girls and 53 percent of boys in the Philippines reported being bullied at least a few times a month.

This is higher than the OECD country averages of 20 percent for girls and 21 percent for boys.

The Philippines is not a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which administers PISA.