Taguig city: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has denounced the physical abuse of a three-year-old child in Sitio Bagong Pag-asa, Barangay Western Bicutan, Taguig City, as captured in a viral video circulating on social media. The footage showed a boy getting kicked and punched by the alleged partner of the child's mother.
According to Philippines News Agency, DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao described the incident as 'deeply disturbing and unacceptable,' stressing that the department will never tolerate any form of violence against children. Dumlao stated in a news release, "Mahigpit pong kinokondena ng DSWD ang anumang uri ng pananakit at pang-aabuso laban sa mga bata (The DSWD strongly condemns any form of violence and abuse against children)."
The DSWD spokesperson emphasized that existing laws clearly prohibit violence against children and women, including physical, emotional, and psychological abuse against minors. These include Republic Act 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act, and RA 9262, or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act, which imposes severe penalties against violators.
Dumlao assured the public that immediate intervention measures have already been undertaken by the DSWD - National Capital Region (NCR). "Nakikipag-ugnayan na po ang DSWD Field Office NCR upang matiyak ang kaligtasan at kapakanan ng bata at ng kanyang ina. Ayon po sa report, na-rescue na po ang bata at kasalukuyan pong nasa kustodiya na ng City Social Welfare and Development Office (The DSWD-NCR is coordinating with the concerned agencies to ensure the safety and welfare of the child and his mother. According to reports, the child has been rescued and is currently under the custody of the CSWDO)," she said.
"Ang perpetrator naman po ay for inquest proceedings. Ang atin naman pong mga social workers ay magsasagawa ng psychosocial intervention para sa mag-ina (The perpetrator is facing inquest proceedings, while our social workers are conducting psychosocial intervention for the mother and child)," Dumlao added.
Dumlao called on the public to immediately report similar incidents of abuse and violence against children to the proper authorities to prevent further harm to one of the most vulnerable sectors. "Hindi po dapat binabalewala o itinatago ang mga kaso ng pang-aabuso. Hinihikayat po natin ang publiko, mga kapitbahay, kamag-anak, at kaibigan na agad itong i-report sa barangay, pulisya, o sa ating mga social welfare offices upang maagapan at mabigyan po ng agarang proteksyon ang mga biktima (Cases of abuse should not be ignored or hidden. We urge the public, neighbors, relatives, and friends of the victims to immediately report to the barangay, police, or to social welfare offices for the prompt protection of the victims)," she said.
She also appealed to families in a similar predicament to prioritize the welfare and safety of their children over abusive relationships. "Kapag nakikita na po na nagiging marahas o mapang-abuso ang inyong partner, huwag na po nating hayaan o palampasin. Kumilos po tayo agad para maprotektahan ang bata dahil walang batang dapat lumaki sa takot, pananakit, at trauma (When you already see that your partner is getting violent or abusive, we should not tolerate it. We should act immediately to protect the child because no child should grow up in fear, pain, and trauma)," she added.
