11-Year-Old Writes Letter to PBBM About Abuse, Receives DSWD Support
The child’s plea went viral, prompting national attention and DSWD intervention.
Published on Apr 3, 2026
Trigger Warning: this article contains references to sexual abuse involving minors.
(SPOT.ph) An 11-year-old student from Tinambac, Camarines Sur gained national attention after reporting alleged sexual abuse involving a barangay councilor’s family.
Reports say the student walked out of her graduation on Monday to petition the town’s vice mayor to remove the father of the alleged perpetrator from his position as a barangay councilor. She also addressed a letter to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., dated March 30, 2026, appealing for help.
The Redeemer Homeless Mission, where the girl is a beneficiary, posted the letter on social media. It quickly gained traction, prompting a response from the President and leading to intervention from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Allegations detailed in letter
In her letter, the student described how her sibling, also a minor, was allegedly raped twice by one of the sons of a barangay councilor or kagawad.
She wrote: “In the last year, you have been at the forefront of EDCOM1 (The First Congressional Commission on Education), encouraging kids like me to read. May I share with you my experience from the mission field, on the ground with the poor people?”
“Kids like me love to read, and we would do it every day if given the opportunity. One of my sisters, Ivy, also loves to read, but on her way home from school on November 17, 2022, and on February 14, 2023, she was raped twice by the son of a kagawad in our town.”
She stated that the victim became pregnant after the first incident and was allegedly taken by the baranggay official to a medical facility in Montalban for an abortion.
The young girl also alleged that another individual, a staff member, later sexually assaulted the victim, after which she stopped attending school.
Living in survival mode
Beyond the reported assaults, the student accused the same baranggay official of intimidation and harassment within their community. These included allegedly cutting electrical connections, damaging water sources, destroying crops, and threatening families.
“I have seen him set grass fires to kill us, put nails in our tires, destroy our coconut plants, and steal our tanim. Many of the families here stay in survival mode because government people make life very very difficult,” she said.
She asked Marcos: “Mr. President, how will we read if we are being raped? How will we read if our own government people cut our electrical wire so we have no lights? How will we read if our kagawad cut our balon wires and so we have no water?”
“We are kids, we are not involved in your political parties, I just want to go to school without being raped. So, can you please help us?” she pleaded.
How Marcos Reacted to the Child’s Letter
President Marcos publicly acknowledged the letter, saying it caused him distress and anger. He assured that authorities would take action and that the victims would receive support.
“My dear [letter sender], your letter has reached me and brought me close to tears and made me very angry. I am sending policemen to you and your sisters to protect you and to find anyone who has hurt any of you. I will make sure that you will be able to continue reading and studying as much as you want. You are a very brave, intelligent and very kind girl and I will make sure to help you and your sisters in any way you need. If there is anything else that you need, just get in touch with us and we will help.”
DSWD verifies the case and provides support to the child and her family
Acting on the reports, the DSWD coordinated with local government units and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to verify the situation. The agency swiftly located the girl and other affected children through the Redeemer Homeless Mission, which supports vulnerable families in the area.
On Tuesday, March 31, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian shared a photo of his meeting with the girl and other children from the shelter at his office. The children are now under the protection of authorities and are receiving psychosocial counseling.
Gatchalian said cases involving minors require immediate and careful handling to prevent further trauma. He added that the agency will continue to monitor the situation and provide long-term support, including education assistance and rehabilitation services.
Social workers from the DSWD’s Bicol field office also visited the mother of one of the rape victims, while the agency began coordinating legal assistance. This includes documenting statements from victims and their families as authorities continue to investigate the allegations against the barangay official and his sons and pursue possible charges.
The case has prompted child protection groups and advocacy organizations to call for justice and stricter enforcement of laws protecting minors. It also serves as a reminder for parents, educators, and communities to take reports of abuse seriously and to provide safe spaces where children can speak up.
This story originally appeared on Smart Parenting. Minor edits have been made by the SPOT.ph editors.
Hanna is a News Desk Writer at Smart Parenting, covering parenting, health, culture, and more. Off the clock, she’s likely people-watching at a café or park, matcha latte in hand.