BACOLOD City – A father is facing charges for alleged child abuse after he was caught on video physically harming his seven-year-old daughter at the Bacolod Public Plaza on May 19, 2026.
Mayor Greg Gasataya said the child’s grandmother is preparing to file a case against the suspect, who is in his late 20s, for violation of Republic Act No. 7610 or the “Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.”
The incident gained public attention after a video showing the alleged abuse circulated online. In the footage, the man was seen hitting the child with a bamboo stick inside the public plaza.
According to Gasataya, the city government immediately acted after receiving the viral video from a concerned citizen on the afternoon of May 19.
“Gilayon naton nga ginpa-rescue ang biktima sa aton Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) kag subong luwas na siya kag yara na sa ila kustodiya,” Gasataya said in a media interview on May 20, 2026.
The mayor also said he personally instructed Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) Director Col. Eugene Rebadomia to immediately locate and arrest the suspect, who is now under police custody.
In a separate interview on May 20, Gasataya said authorities are now preparing the appropriate charges against the father in connection with the incident.
“Bisan ano pa ang matabo, wala sang rason para sakiton ang aton kabataan,” Gasataya stressed.
He also reiterated that abuse has no place in Bacolod City, especially against innocent children who cannot defend themselves.
Gasataya expressed gratitude to the BCPO, Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) personnel, and other city officials involved in the rescue and protection of the child, including City Administrator Atty. Mark Mayo and DSSD Head Dr. Richelle Verdeprado-Mangga.
Investigation into the incident is ongoing./PN
