SENATE Committee on Basic Education Chairman Sherwin Gatchalian has called for immediate action following a viral video showing a group of children physically attacking another child in Malolos, Bulacan.

Gatchalian emphasized that local officials, particularly the mayor, must take responsibility for addressing the incident urgently. He recommended that the parents of the children involved undergo a parenting seminar to reinforce their duty to guide and discipline their children.

“It is the responsibility of parents to ensure their children grow up with the right values, and local officials must intervene to prevent such incidents in the future,” Gatchalian said.

The senator also proposed counseling for the children involved in the attack and suggested they apologize to the victim.

“These children must understand that their actions were wrong and express remorse,” he added.

The viral video showed a group of young girls attacking another girl who was already on the ground. The victim was slapped, had her hair pulled, and was continuously attacked despite pleading for them to stop.

The incident sparked public outrage, with many calling for stricter anti-bullying measures. In response, local police and the Social Welfare Development Office have invited the children’s parents for a discussion, and authorities are exploring interventions to protect all children in the community.

Gatchalian reiterated his commitment to strengthening anti-bullying policies and urged local governments to take a proactive approach in addressing similar incidents.