Tackled in a recent episode of “CIA with BA,” is a viral video showing two very young children, estimated around six to eight years old, being made to fight in a boxing match while adults watched.
This shocked viewers nationwide. What should have been a safe, playful environment instead became a scene that raised urgent concerns about child safety and legal accountability.
In the segment ‘Tanong ng Pilipino,’ Boy Abunda asked if any law was violated by the children being pitted against each other.
Atty. Matt Cesa answered bluntly: “Meron.”
He explained that under the Child Abuse Law, encouraging or facilitating such fights is already considered abuse.
The discussion also addressed whether parental consent could make the act legal.
Atty. Bernadette Maybituin clarified, “Hindi po ito legal, regardless of the consent of the parents.”
She stressed, “Absolute at klaro ang batas na bawal ‘yung mga ganito kasi ito ay nakakasira do’n sa normal development ng bata.”
She maintained that no parent can legally allow such behavior particularly as it endangers the child.
Atty. Matt added that responsibility goes beyond the parents. Any adult who organized, encouraged, or even profited from the event, such as those facilitating or betting on the fight, may also face legal consequences.
“Maaaring managot ang mga magulang or even the adults involved dito like ‘yung mga nag-facilitate or kung may pustahan, ‘yung tumaya,” he said.
The segment highlighted that children are unable to understand the risks of such acts, making adult supervision and protection essential. What some might see as “play” or “content” can quickly cross into abuse when safety is compromised.
By the end of the episode, “CIA with BA” emphasized a simple but urgent message: protecting children is a shared responsibility. Whether offline or online, adults must ensure minors are never put in harm’s way, even for entertainment or social media exposure.
Led by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, Senator Pia Cayetano, and Abunda, “CIA with BA” airs every Sunday at 11pm on GMA7, with replays on GTV every Saturday at 10:30pm.
