Authorities are now investigating the case of a child who was struck by her father during a push bike competition in Surallah, South Cotabato.
Videos of the incident went viral, showing the young girl being hit on the head by her father after failing to win the competition, causing her to fall along with her bike.
The footage later shows the father retrieving the bike while his daughter stands on her own.
“Gigil ako: A father beats his daughter after losing a push bike competition,” a Reddit user said in the “r/GigilAko” community on Tuesday, December 16.
Gigil ako: A father beats his daughter after losing a pushbike competition
byu/Im-a-Party-Pooper inGigilAko
The post has earned 3,100 upvotes and more than 580 comments in the online community.
Reports said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 12 has already met with the father, who may face charges of child abuse or violation of Republic Act 7610, also known as the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.
DSWD Region 12 Director Loreto Cabaya said they will visit the child’s residence in Polomolok, South Cotabato, to personally assess the situation and check on the child’s condition.
The visit will include coordination with the child’s mother and other relatives, as well as medical and psychological evaluations to assess the child’s well-being while under her parents’ care.
The DSWD said it aims to determine whether there had been any prior abuse and whether it is safe for the child to remain in the father’s custody.
