ni Vinia Vivar @Frankly Speaking | April 14, 2026
Photo: Alfred Vargas at wife - FB
Nagsampa ng kasong kriminal si Alfred Vargas at ang kanyang misis na si Yasmine laban sa magulang ng isang menor-de-edad na nang-bully sa kanilang anak na lalaki.
Ipinost ng aktor at councilor ng Quezon City ang larawan nilang mag-asawa hawak ang kopya ng kanilang reklamo na isinampa nila kahapon, Lunes, sa Office of the City Prosecutor of Manila.
Sa caption ay mababasa ang official statement ni Alfred at ang paglalahad niya ng buong pangyayari.
“Taking a firm stand against the culture of silence in bullying, Quezon City Councilor Alfred Vargas and his wife, Yasmine, filed a criminal complaint on Monday against the parents of a minor who allegedly bullied and abused their son during swimming activities.
“The complaint, filed before the Office of the City Prosecutor of Manila, cites respondents Juvelle Bacosa and Robert Vincent Sy for violation of Section 10(a) of Republic Act No. 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act,” ang simula ng statement.
Kasunod nito ay ikinuwento ni Alfred ang mga ginawang pambu-bully sa kanyang anak at isa na rito ang pagtatangka umano ng bully na lunurin ang kanyang anak sa swimming pool.
“The legal action stems from a pattern of conduct where the respondents’ minor child repeatedly pushed and held the Vargas’ son underwater during swimming training sessions,” lahad ng statement.
Maraming beses daw itong nangyari na ilang beses na rin daw nilang sinabi sa parents ng bully.
Aniya, “These bullying incidents, by way of drowning the Vargas couple’s child, occurred several times despite efforts, reminders and appeals made by the Vargases to the parents of the bully to tell their child to stop and to manage the minor’s conduct.”
Sabi naman ni Alfred, “Mayroon pa ngang ginawa ‘yung bully na hindi talaga appropriate at sobrang sakit sa kalooban namin. Kinadyot niya ‘yung anak ko sa malaswang paraan at nu’ng nakita ng misis ko at sinabi sa nanay, tinawanan pa ng nanay at sinabi, ‘He’s just dancing!’”
Dagdag pa niya, “Every time we go to the parents to try to resolve these issues, we are either dismissed or gaslighted.”
At ito ngang huling pangyayari last February, dito na umano dumating sa breaking point si Alfred kung saan nakita niya mismo ang ginawa sa kanyang anak.
“The situation reached a breaking point during a swimming competition at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex last February.
“In the event, Vargas and several other people personally witnessed the minor pushing his child at the side area of the pool during warm-up period, almost injuring his son right before the competition,” ang nakasaad sa statement.
Matapos umanong itulak ang kanyang anak ay nagtawanan pa raw ang dalawang kaibigan ng bully na naging dahilan upang magkaroon ng severe fear at emotional distress ang bata.
Muli ay tinawag niya ang atensiyon ng magulang ng bata hinggil sa ginawa nito pero ipinagwalang-bahala lang daw ng mga ito ang kanilang reklamo.
“Bilang ama, may isang bagay na hindi mo kayang tiisin: ang makita ang anak mo na inaapi,” pahayag ni Alfred.
“The only regret we have is we didn’t do it sooner,” dagdag niya.
Aniya pa, “Ilan lang ang mga ito sa marami pang ginawa sa anak ko. Hindi ito simpleng ‘away ng bata.’ Hindi ito bagay na dapat palampasin.
“In the complaint, the Vargas couple emphasized that the respondents failed in their legal duty under the Family Code to supervise and discipline their child.
“Despite having actual knowledge of prior similar incidents that occurred during swimming sessions, the parents allegedly failed to take effective measures to prevent the recurrence of the dangerous behavior.
“This negligence enabled acts prejudicial to the Vargas child’s welfare, which constitutes child abuse under Section 10(a) of RA 7610. The law penalizes acts that cause psychological or emotional suffering, even in the absence of physical injury, as supported by established jurisprudence,” saad pa sa statement.
“Bullying is not normal,” ani Alfred.
Dagdag niya, “It is not harmless. It is not acceptable. Maaari sanang maiwasan ang insidente na ito kung hindi napabayaan ang bata ng magulang. Kaya ngayon, pinili naming lumaban. Hindi para maghiganti kundi para manindigan para sa anak ko at para sa lahat ng batang natatakot magsalita.”
Sa pagsasampa ng kaso, umaasa rin si Alfred na maging halimbawa ito para sa mga pamilyang biktima rin ng bullying ang mga anak.
“Kung ikaw ay naging biktima ng bullying, o magulang na dumaan dito, alam kong ‘di ‘to madali. Pero ‘di tayo puwedeng manatiling tahimik. This is where it stops,” pagtatapos ni Alfred.
Sa comment section ay nagbigay din ng pahayag ang aktres na si Yasmien Kurdi na matatandaang naging biktima rin ng bullying ang kanyang anak na si Ayesha na nagresulta rin sa pagsasampa niya ng kaso.
“This is really heartbreaking, but also a wake-up call. I know how this feels. The pain and anxiety for the whole family. We’ve been through it, and it’s not easy seeing your child go through that.
“What’s hard is that bullying doesn’t just happen once. It builds up over time. From being singled out, to anxiety, to feeling unsafe, it really affects them deeply. Mas masakit pa when parents are already informed but choose to dismiss or even laugh it off instead of correcting their child. That kind of response only makes things worse.
“This is why taking a stand matters. Accountability, from the kids, the parents, and the institutions, is the only way it stops,” pahayag ni Yasmien.
Mensahe niya sa pamilya ni Alfred, “Praying for your family. Stay strong, Vargas family. Every child deserves to feel safe and protected.”
