“AWAN PLANO TI TAGA LUBO NGA BUMALES”: Mayor Dagadag assures they will respect peaceful resolution after Baguio bullying incident which injured iTanudan student

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — Mayor Jaedicke Rhoss Dagadag has assured that members of the Lubo community in Tanudan, Kalinga have no intention of retaliating following the bullying incident involving a learner from the community in Baguio City.

Dagadag issued the assurance amid information circulating that members of the Lubo tribe might retaliate after a learner from Lubo was allegedly assaulted outside Pinget National High School on August 26.

“Awan met iti plano iti taga Lubo nga agaramid iti madi kada bumales. Iti kayat da met lang ket diay peace,” he said.

Dagadag relayed the statement to GURU Press Cordillera during a phone interview, stressing that the community wants the matter addressed peacefully through the proper authorities and processes.

Case remains under investigation

The incident gained public attention on August 26 after a video circulated on social media showing a learner allegedly being assaulted by fellow students outside Pinget National High School.

The learner, who has roots in Lubo, Tanudan, was seen in the video lying on the ground while another male student allegedly punched and kicked him and struck him with a belt. Several other students were also seen in the area.

Two days later, 15 minors identified in connection with the incident were given a five-day suspension by the school, while the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) continued its investigation.

The police are also assessing possible legal action, subject to the results of the required assessment of the minors involved and other applicable procedures.

On August 31, elders from the Lubo community joined officials of the Baguio City Government, Department of Education (DepEd), Philippine National Police (PNP), parents and other concerned authorities in a dialogue in Baguio City regarding the incident.

During the dialogue, Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong clarified that the five-day suspension was only an initial administrative action by the school's Child Protection Committee and that the case remains subject to further proceedings.

He said the committee would consider evidence gathered by the BCPO and the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), along with the video and the victim's testimony.

“We want peace”

Dagadag said he contacted Magalong after the incident gained attention online and asked if the city could accommodate elders from Lubo who planned to travel to Baguio to check on the learner.

He said he assured Magalong that the elders and other members of the Lubo community had no intention of harming the minors involved.

“In-assure tayo nga haan nga aggresibo dagitoy kakailyan tayo ken awan iti balak nga bumales ta iti kayat tayo ket peace metlaeng,” he said.

Dagadag added that the community would respect the decision of the victim's parents on whether to pursue legal action or seek an amicable settlement, subject to applicable laws and procedures.

The mayor also said he is expected to attend a second dialogue with Magalong regarding the case in Baguio City.

During the meeting, Dagadag plans to ask whether the victim could be considered for inclusion among the city's scholarship beneficiaries as an additional form of support following the incident.

The mayor's assurance comes as authorities continue to address the case while the Lubo community calls for a peaceful resolution and the protection of all minors involved.