Father in viral Bacolod video faces abuse raps

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — A man is facing charges for violating Republic Act No. 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, after a recent viral video showed him allegedly abusing his 6-year-old daughter at the public plaza here.

The case was filed by the child’s maternal grandmother before the Office of the City Prosecutor on Wednesday.

The video, which sparked public outrage, showed the father repeatedly hitting his daughter with a stick on the head and other parts of her body on Tuesday.

Netizens expressed sympathy for the child and called out the father’s abusive behavior.

Mayor Greg Gasataya saw the video circulating online and ordered the immediate rescue of the child in coordination with the Department of Social Services and Development Anti-Mendicancy Team.

Based on their interview with the victim, she was allegedly hit by her father whenever the money she received from alms was not enough.

Gasataya confronted the child’s father after he was arrested by police and brought to Police Station 1.

He stressed that no circumstance can ever justify hurting a child.

“No matter how difficult or disobedient your child may be, it will never be a reason to hurt them,” the mayor emphasized.

He assured the public that the city government would ensure accountability and that the father would face the consequences of his actions.

The child is currently under the temporary custody and care of the DSSD while legal proceedings are ongoing.

She is also expected to undergo psychosocial intervention and medical examination.

Councilor Celia Flor, who expressed outrage over the incident, emphasized that “there should be zero tolerance for all forms of abuse, especially against women and children.”

“We cannot say that what happened at the plaza was an isolated case, but we are grateful to the person who recorded the video and spoke out against the father’s abusive actions,” Flor said.

Along with the mayor, she urged the public to report similar cases of abuse, including online sexual abuse against minors, through the Bacolod Support and Action for Families in Emergency Hotline.