DAVAO CITY — Authorities are raising serious concern over the safety and welfare of minors after a video showing a 14-year-old boy smoking suspected marijuana went viral on Facebook, triggering widespread outrage and calls for stronger community vigilance.
The Davao City Police Office (DCPO), led by Acting City Director PCOL Mannan Caracas Muarip, immediately ordered Police Station 3–Talomo, under PMAJ Genesis Oriel, to conduct a thorough investigation following the circulation of the disturbing footage uploaded on September 9, 2025.
Minor Identified and Rescued
Initial reports falsely identified the child as another individual, but intelligence operatives later verified that the person in the video was indeed a 14-year-old Grade 8 student from Bangkal, Talomo, Davao City.
According to police, the boy had dropped out of school, frequently stayed with peers, and had run away from home before the video surfaced. After days of tracking, Talomo police rescued the minor on September 13, 2025, and turned him over to authorities with the presence of his parents.
Parental and Community Responsibility
The DCPO stressed that parents and guardians carry the primary responsibility of protecting their children from harmful influences, including illegal drugs. At the same time, the community is urged to remain vigilant, immediately report such incidents, and avoid exploiting minors by reposting or spreading compromising videos online.
Authorities also warned that those who uploaded or shared the video could face legal charges under Republic Act 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act) and Republic Act 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012).
A Deeper Cause for Concern
The viral case has sparked alarm because of the child’s age and the brazenness of the act — recording himself while allegedly using marijuana and uploading it online. Observers fear that this could reflect a growing trend among youth who may no longer feel the fear of consequences, whether from the law, schools, or families.
Police have vowed to continue their investigation to identify not only the persons behind the video’s online circulation but also those who may have influenced the minor to engage in drug use.
Public Appeal
The Talomo Police Station confirmed that the boy is now under protective custody and reminded the public that sharing the video violates the dignity and rights of the child. Authorities instead urged social media users to report the content and the accounts circulating it to help curb its spread.
“Protecting the welfare of children is a shared responsibility,” the DCPO emphasized. “We must work together as parents, families, and communities to keep our children safe, guided, and away from the dangers of illegal drugs.”