Paglabag sa Section 10(a) ng Republic Act No. 7610 o Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination ang reklamong inihain ng mag-asawang Alfred Vargas at Yasmine Espritu laban sa mga magulang ng menor de edad na batang nam-bully at nang-abuso umano sa kanilang anak na lalake.
Nagsampa ng reklamo ang mag-asawa sa Office of the City Prosecutor ng Maynila ngayong Lunes, Abril 13, 2026, laban sa mga magulang ng batang madalas umanong itinutulak at nilulunod ang anak nina Alfred at Yasmine sa tuwing may ensayo ng swimming.
Kaugnay nito ay naglabas ng press statement ang kampo nina Alfred at Yasmine.
Nakasaad dito: “The legal action stems from a pattern of conduct where the respondents’ minor child repeatedly pushed and held the Vargases’ son underwater during swimming training sessions.
“These bullying incidents, by way of drowning the Vargas couple’s child, occurred several times despite efforts, reminders, and appeals made by the Vargases to the parents of the bully to tell their child to stop and to manage the minor’s conduct.”
Pahayag naman ni Alfred tungkol sa pang-aabuso umanong naranasan ng kanyang anak: “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!’
“Every time we go to the parents to try to resolve these issues, we were either dismissed or gaslighted.”
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THE FEBRUARY 2026 INCIDENT
Nagpasya raw sina Alfred at Yasmine na pormal magsampa ng reklamo dahil sa insidenteng nangyari sa swimming competition sa Rizal Memorial Sports Complex noong Pebrero 2026.
Maraming tao umano ang personal na nasaksihan ang panunulak ng batang pinararatangan ng bullying sa kapwa menor de edad na anak nina Alfred at Yasmine.
Bahagi ng nakasaad sa statament: “In the event, Vargas and several other people personally witnessed the minor pushing his child at the side area of the pool during warm-up period, almost injuring his son right before the competition.
“After the near-injury, two other friends of the bully laughed at his son as he was left on the ground, causing the child severe fear and emotional distress.
“Vargas further recounted how the mother of the bully shrugged off the incident and pretended that nothing happened when he brought the matter to her attention.
"Adding insult to injury, the mother started posting misrepresented content online and never stopped.”
Saad ni Alfred tungkol dito: “Bilang ama, may isang bagay na hindi mo kayang tiisin: ang makita ang anak mo na inaapi.
“The only regret we have is we didn’t do it sooner. Ilan lang ang mga ito sa marami pang ginawa sa anak ko."
Diin pa niya: "Hindi ito simpleng ‘away ng bata.’ Hindi ito bagay na dapat palampasin.”
Ayon sa kampo nina Alfred at Yasmine, nabigo ang mga magulang ng batang nam-bully umano sa anak ng mag-asawa na gampanan ang kanilang tungkulin, alinsunod sa Family Code.
Saad pa sa statement: "In the complaint, the Vargas couple emphasized that the respondents failed in their legal duty under the Family Code to supervise and discipline their child.
"Despite having actual knowledge of prior similar incidents that occurred during swimming sessions, the parents allegedly failed to take effective measures to prevent the recurrence of the dangerous behavior.
"This negligence enabled acts prejudicial to the Vargas child’s welfare, which constitutes child abuse under Section 10(a) of RA 7610. The law penalizes acts that cause psychological or emotional suffering, even in the absence of physical injury, as supported by established jurisprudence."
Ipinaliwanag naman ni Alfred ang desisyon nila ni Yasmine na magsampa ng reklamo.
Diin ng Quezon City councilor: “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.
“Kung ikaw ay naging biktima ng bullying, o magulang na dumaan dito, alam kong hindi ito madali.
"Pero hindi tayo puwedeng manatiling tahimik. This is where it stops.”
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