How to File a School Bullying Complaint in the Philippines (Anti-Bullying Act Guide)

For parents, learners, and school personnel. Philippine K-12 context. This is general information, not legal advice.

Quick overview

Main law: Republic Act No. 10627 (Anti-Bullying Act of 2013) + its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). It sits alongside the DepEd Child Protection Policy and other child-protection laws.
Who’s covered: Public and private elementary and secondary schools (K–12). (Colleges/HEIs are mainly covered by other laws—see FAQ.)
What counts as bullying: Severe or repeated acts (physical, verbal, social, psychological, or cyberbullying) by a learner against another learner that cause harm, create a hostile environment, infringe rights, or substantially disrupt school operations—even if they happen off-campus/online but spill into school life.
Where to file first: The school, through its Child Protection Committee (CPC) or designated office (e.g., Guidance Office/Discipline Office/Principal).
Escalation: If the school does not act or you disagree with the outcome, you can elevate to the Schools Division Office (SDO), then DepEd Regional Office, then DepEd Central. You may also go to the barangay, police, DSWD, or NBI/PNP-ACG for crimes or urgent protection.

The legal framework (what gives you these rights)

RA 10627 (Anti-Bullying Act) Requires every basic-education school to have a written anti-bullying policy, reporting and response procedures, disciplinary sanctions, interventions, and protection against retaliation.
DepEd Child Protection Policy Establishes Child Protection Committees (CPCs) in schools and sets duties, due-process standards, and immediate protective measures.
Related laws that may apply (depending on facts):
- RA 7610 (child abuse), RA 9344 (children in conflict with the law),
- RA 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention)—for cyber-harassment, cyber-libel, unlawful access, etc.,
- RA 11313 (Safe Spaces Act)—especially for gender-based harassment,
- RA 10173 (Data Privacy Act)—confidentiality of minors’ data,
- RA 11650 (Inclusive Education)—protections for learners with disabilities.

What counts as bullying (with examples)

Physical: hitting, kicking, tripping, taking/damaging belongings.
Verbal: name-calling, taunts, threats, slurs.
Social/relational: spreading rumors, deliberate exclusion, group shaming.
Psychological: intimidation, stalking, coercion.
Cyberbullying: posts, DMs, group chats, doctored photos, doxxing, mass “bashings,” fake accounts—even outside school hours if it harms the learner or disrupts school.
Retaliation against anyone who reports or participates in an investigation is prohibited.

Normal peer conflict or one-off rudeness isn’t automatically “bullying”; severity, repetition, impact, and power imbalance matter.

Who can file a complaint?

The learner (victim/target).
The parent/guardian of the learner.
Any school personnel (teachers/staff) who witness or receive a report—they must report.
A classmate/witness or concerned person.
Anonymous reports are commonly accepted for initial screening (schools still need verifiable facts to impose sanctions).

Where to file (routing your complaint)

Inside the school (start here):
- Child Protection Committee (CPC) or Guidance Office/Principal.
- Ask the office handling Child Protection/Anti-Bullying and get a receiving copy of your written complaint.
If the issue is ignored or mishandled, or if there is grave/urgent harm:
- DepEd Schools Division Office (SDO) where the school is located.
- If still unresolved, DepEd Regional Office, then DepEd Central (Learner Protection/Field Operations units).
If the conduct may be criminal or requires urgent external protection:
- Barangay (for immediate community intervention/mediation; note special rules for minors).
- Police/PNP-Women and Children Protection Desk or PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group, or NBI (for cybercrime/serious threats/physical injuries).
- DSWD/City Social Welfare for psychosocial support and case management.
- Hospitals for medico-legal reports if there are injuries.

You can pursue school remedies and criminal/administrative remedies in parallel.

Evidence to prepare (checklist)

Incident details: dates, times, places, names, what happened, witnesses.
Screenshots/links (include URLs, handles, and timestamps).
Medical reports/photos of injuries or damaged belongings.
School records: adviser notes, demerits, prior reports.
Your child’s account: short narrative or sworn statement (age-appropriate).
Any safety concerns (ongoing threats, same class/section, bus seating, etc.).

Tip: Keep an incident log (simple table: date/time | what happened | who was there | effects | reported to whom).

Step-by-step: Filing a bullying complaint at school

Go to the CPC/Guidance/Principal. Say you are filing a bullying complaint under RA 10627. Ask for the school’s Anti-Bullying Policy and forms (if any).
Submit a written complaint (sample template below). Attach copies of your evidence. Request a receiving copy (date-stamped) and the name/position of the receiving officer.
Immediate safety measures (ask for these right away if needed):
- No-contact directive between learners,
- Seat/class/bus or schedule adjustments,
- Hallway/bathroom pass/buddy system,
- Temporary supervision in hotspots,
- Escorts during arrival/dismissal,
- Guidance counseling and check-ins.
Investigation & case conference:
- The CPC fact-finds (interviews, reviews evidence).
- Due process for the alleged bully: written notice, chance to explain, with parent/guardian present.
- The CPC may hold a case conference to craft a Behavioral Intervention Plan and Safety Plan.
Decision & sanctions/interventions:
- Written outcome explaining whether bullying occurred and measures imposed.
- Sanctions may range from reprimand, written apology, restitution, community service, behavior contracts, counseling, suspension, and—when warranted under DepEd rules/school manual—exclusion/expulsion (private schools) subject to approval processes.
- Support for the target (counseling, academic accommodations) and restorative actions where appropriate.
Documentation & confidentiality:
- Records are confidential (minors’ data is protected by the Data Privacy Act).
- Staff should avoid group-chat blast disclosures or shaming practices.
Appeal/escalation:
- Follow the appeal process in the school manual (often to the Principal/School Head, then SDO).
- You may escalate to DepEd SDO/Regional Office if timelines lapse or outcomes are unreasonable.
- For crimes or imminent harm, involve barangay/police/DSWD immediately (don’t wait for the school’s final action).

What schools are expected to have in place

A written anti-bullying policy (published to students/parents) that includes: definitions; scope (on/off campus & online); reporting channels; CPC composition; investigation steps; due process; sanctions; interventions; anti-retaliation rules; and data-privacy safeguards.
A Child Protection Committee typically led by the School Head/Principal with members such as the Guidance Counselor/Teacher, teacher and parent reps, and a community rep.
Mandatory reporting by personnel who witness or receive allegations.
Capacity-building (orientation/training) for students, parents, and staff.

Special situations & how to handle them

Cyberbullying Preserve original URLs, full screenshots (show device clock if possible), and report-abuse to platforms. Consider reporting to PNP-ACG/NBI for serious threats, non-consensual intimate images, hacking, or identity theft.
Off-campus incidents If they create a hostile school environment or disrupt learning, the school must still act under its policy.
Learners with disabilities Ask for reasonable accommodations (quiet spaces, escorts, schedule tweaks) and ensure the response avoids discriminatory discipline.
If the bully is a teacher/staff That’s typically child abuse/harassment, not “peer bullying.” File under the Child Protection Policy and escalate to SDO/Regional Office; you may also go to PNP/DSWD.
Anonymous or third-party tips Schools should triage them; sanctions still require substantiated facts and due process.
Repeat offenders Expect escalating sanctions and formal behavior plans; failure to act can itself be a basis to escalate to DepEd.

Possible outcomes

Protective measures (no-contact, schedule/seat changes, transfer when necessary).
Educational/therapeutic interventions (counseling, social-skills training, restorative conferencing).
Disciplinary sanctions (graduated, proportionate, consistent with school rules and DepEd standards).
Referral to DSWD, barangay, or law enforcement for serious cases.
Written resolution you can appeal.

Your rights throughout the process

To report without retaliation.
To be heard and submit evidence.
To confidentiality and respectful treatment.
To timely action consistent with the school policy.
To receive a written outcome and appeal it.
To pursue external remedies if needed.

Practical tips (things that help cases)

Put everything in writing; keep a timeline and receiving copies.
Be specific: “On 12 Aug at 10:30 a.m., in 7-Faith room, X shoved Y; classmates A/B saw it.”
Ask the school, “What is today’s safety plan?” Get it in writing.
If harm is serious/ongoing, seek medico-legal and consider police/NBI/PNP-ACG.
For cyberbullying, don’t engage; document, report, block.
Stay calm and focus on behavior and safety, not personalities.

Simple templates you can use

A. Complaint Letter (Parent/Guardian)

Subject: Bullying Complaint under RA 10627 (Name of Learner, Grade/Section) To: [School Head/Principal], Chair, Child Protection Committee From: [Your Name], [Relation], [Contact No./Email] Date: [____]

I am filing a complaint under the Anti-Bullying Act concerning my child, [Name, Grade/Section]. Summary of incidents:

[Date/Time, Place]: [What happened; who was involved; witnesses]

[Date/Time, Place]: [Second incident] Effects: [Injuries/anxiety/absences/grades]. Evidence attached: [Screenshots/photos/medical note/witness list]. Requested immediate measures: [No-contact, seat change, supervision, counseling]. Kindly acknowledge receipt, advise the CPC process and timelines, and provide today’s safety plan. Thank you. Signed: [Name & Signature]

B. Learner’s Incident Log (keep at home)

Date/Time	Where	What happened	Who did it	Witnesses	How it affected me	Reported to

C. Affidavit/Sworn Statement (optional, if asked)

A brief, factual narrative sworn before a notary public or barangay official (for minors, signed by the parent/guardian with the learner’s own account attached).

When to go beyond the school

Imminent danger or serious physical injury/sexual abuse → Police/WCPD and DSWD immediately (school action can follow).
Crimes online (e.g., death threats, non-consensual sharing of intimate images, hacking) → PNP-ACG or NBI-Cybercrime.
School inaction or retaliation → DepEd SDO/Regional Office; include your evidence and the school’s responses (or lack thereof).

Frequently asked questions

Does the Anti-Bullying Act apply to colleges? Primarily no—RA 10627 targets basic education. For HEIs, schools must still address harassment and bullying-type conduct under their student codes and laws like the Safe Spaces Act and the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act. File with the college’s disciplinary office and follow CHED-aligned procedures.

Can a school punish behavior that happened outside campus? Yes, if it creates a hostile environment or disrupts school (e.g., class group-chat attacks, viral posts aimed at a classmate).

Can the school force mediation between the bully and the target? Not if unsafe or unwanted. Restorative approaches must be voluntary and victim-centered; they do not replace appropriate sanctions.

Will my child’s identity be protected? Schools must protect confidentiality and handle minors’ data under the Data Privacy Act. Public shaming or blasting details in GC/Facebook is improper.

What if the alleged bully is under 15? They are a child at risk under the Juvenile Justice framework—focus is on intervention, family support, and behavioral plans. Schools may still apply in-school sanctions consistent with policy.

One-page filing checklist

Written complaint with dates, facts, and requests for safety measures
Evidence attached (screenshots/medical/witnesses)
Receiving copy from school
Immediate safety plan in writing
Attend CPC meetings/case conference
Written decision received
Appeal/escalation filed (if needed)
External reports (barangay/police/DSWD/PNP-ACG/NBI) if warranted

Final note

You’re entitled to swift, child-sensitive action, protection from retaliation, and clear written outcomes. If you want, share your draft facts (dates, names redacted) and I’ll polish a complaint letter and a safety-plan request tailored to your situation.