- Police intervene after viral video of 14-year-old boy smoking
THE DAVAO City Police Office (DCPO) rescued a 14-year-old boy from Bangkal who went viral on social media after he posted a video of himself smoking what authorities suspected to be marijuana.
Acting city director Col. Mannan Muarip immediately directed Talomo Police Chief Major Genesis Oriel to investigate the video circulating on Facebook.
The video, uploaded on Sept. 9, 2025, by an individual identified as “Real,” initially misidentified the subject.
However, through a verification process by intelligence operatives, the person in the video was confirmed to be a 14-year-old from Bangkal, Talomo District.
Further coordination with the minor’s grandparents and father revealed that the child, a Grade 8 student, had stopped attending classes and frequently stayed with his peers.
He fled from home before the video’s release.
After sustained efforts, the minor was successfully rescued on Sept. 13, 2025, and was turned over to the DCPO Police Station 3 (Talomo), accompanied by his parents.
The DCPO emphasized that parents and guardians must bear the primary responsibility of guiding, supervising, and protecting their children from harmful influences.
The office also highlighted the community’s vital role in safeguarding minors by reporting similar incidents to authorities rather than circulating them online.
Furthermore, the DCPO warned that those responsible for posting or sharing the video may face charges for violating Republic Act 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act) and Republic Act 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012).
The DCPO is continuing its investigation to identify the individuals behind the online posting and those who may have influenced the minor’s involvement in illegal drug activities.
