Mayor Greg Gasataya, in coordination with the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) Anti-Mendicancy Team, ordered the rescue of a six-year-old girl seen in a viral video being repeatedly struck with a stick on the head and other parts of her body by her father near the Bacolod Public Plaza on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.

Following the mayor’s directive to Bacolod City Police Office Director Police Colonel Eugene Rebadomia, members of Police Station 1 immediately apprehended the child’s father.

During his confrontation with the suspect, Mayor Gasataya stressed that no circumstance can ever justify hurting a child.

“No matter how difficult or disobedient your child may be, it will never be a reason to hurt them,” the mayor emphasized, assuring the public that the city government will ensure accountability and that the father will face the consequences of his actions.

According to Anjanette Servano, DSSD Anti-Mendicancy Program Coordinator, the child’s maternal grandmother filed a case before the Office of the City Prosecutor on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, against the father for violation of Republic Act No. 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act. The rescued child is currently under the temporary custody and care of the DSSD while legal proceedings are ongoing.

She is also expected to undergo psychosocial intervention and medical examination. Bacolod City Councilor Celia Flor, who expressed outrage over the incident, emphasized that “there should be zero tolerance for all forms of abuse, especially against women and children.”

She also thanked the individual who uploaded the video online and the concerned Bacolodnons who called out the abusive behavior.

“We cannot say that what happened at the plaza was an isolated case, but we are grateful to the person who recorded the video and spoke out against the father’s abusive actions,” Flor said.

Along with the mayor, she urged the public to report similar cases of abuse, including online sexual abuse against minors, through the Bacolod SAFE Hotline: TNT: 0909-640-7382 Globe: 0926-751-4615 The Bacolod SAFE (Support and Action for Families in Emergency) Hotline, established through an executive order by the mayor, serves as a 24/7 reporting and response hotline for cases involving online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC), violence, abuse, child protection, and other social welfare concerns in the city. (BACOLOD CITY COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE)