“Patawad... Nangangako po kami na hindi na ito mangyayari at hindi na po namin uulitin” : Minors in Baguio bullying case seek forgiveness after viral videos

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Minors involved in the reported bullying and mauling incident at Pinget National High School publicly apologized to the victim and his family days after videos of the incident circulated widely on social media.

In a video posted by PTV Cordillera showing the final dialogue between the victim, the minors’ families, elders and authorities, the minors expressed remorse for their actions and asked the victim and his family for forgiveness, while promising not to repeat the incident.

One of the minors directly apologized to the victim and emotionally acknowledged that his actions were wrong.

“Pasensya na, humihingi ako ng patawad sa’yo. Alam ko na mali yung ginawa ko, bigyan nyo po ako ng chance na magbago ulit at ipakita sa inyo na nagbago na ako,” the minor said.

He also expressed his desire to stop engaging in similar acts, saying the incident had affected his parents.

“At gusto ko na pong itigil yung mga ganito dahil nasasayang po yung oras ng mga magulang ko,” he said.

The minor acknowledged his parents’ sacrifices and said they had also been affected by the situation. He then promised to change and become a positive influence on others.

“Hindi ko na po uulitin—magbabago na po ako. Maging isang good leader at maging magandang impluwensya sa ibang tao,” he said.

Another minor addressed the victim directly, asking for forgiveness for becoming involved in the incident. He also sought forgiveness from Nathan’s mother.

“Naga-ask ako ng forgiveness mo Nathan dahil ako ay nasali sa mga gawaing ito,” he said.

Another minor thanked the elders who attended the proceedings and acknowledged that they had failed to consider the possible consequences of their actions.

The minors collectively promised that the incident would not happen again.

“Nangangako po kami na hindi na ito mangyayari at hindi na po namin uulitin,” one of them said.

Viral incident

The public apologies came after the incident drew widespread attention when videos showing the reported assault circulated on social media.

Police said the incident occurred at around 3 p.m. on August 26, 2026, outside Pinget National High School and involved Grade 9 and Grade 10 students. A video showed a student being assaulted while other learners were present.

On August 27, Pinget National High School acknowledged the circulating video and appealed to the public to stop sharing and reposting the footage because the learners involved were minors.

On August 28, school officials, the Child Protection Committee, representatives of the Barangay Councils for the Protection of Children of Pinget, Pinsao Proper and Pinsao Pilot, the City Social Welfare and Development Office, BCPO Station 2, parents and guardians, and the learners involved met to discuss the incident and appropriate interventions.

The meeting resulted in a five-day suspension for the 15 minors identified as being involved. The suspension was imposed as an administrative disciplinary measure under Department of Education Order No. 06, series of 2026.

Authorities emphasized that the administrative penalty did not prevent the filing of possible criminal or civil cases.

The Baguio City Police Office also said it was assessing whether the minors acted with discernment, or understood the nature and consequences of their actions, before determining appropriate legal measures under the juvenile justice system.

₱800,000 settlement

On September 4, the victim’s family eventually chose to settle the matter under a reported ₱800,000 agreement, after the victim expressed his decision not to pursue the case and instead allow one of the minors involved to continue his studies.

The victim’s mother said the decision was guided by her child’s wishes and her consideration of the future of the minors involved.

“Ayoko po na masira din ang future ng ibang bata dahil din sa mga desisyon nating mga adults,” she said.

The public apologies and settlement mark a new stage in the case, with the minors expressing remorse and promising to change, while authorities and community stakeholders continue to emphasize accountability, rehabilitation, child protection and the prevention of similar incidents.