Girl, 3, beaten up by stepmom in viral video

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is looking into the case of a three-year-old girl who was allegedly abused by her stepmother at their house in Dasmariñas, Cavite as shown in a video that went viral on social media.

The DSWD is coordinating with the local social welfare and development office and the children’s police desk in investigating the case.

DSWD Secretary Virginia Orogo reiterated that children’s rights and welfare should be protected and promoted at all times even as she appealed to the public to refrain from posting child abuse cases on social media.

“It is better if concerned citizens directly coordinate with us by sending private messages to our Facebook and Twitter accounts,” Orogo said.

The victim remains confined in a hospital and taken cared of by her paternal grandaunt.

A social worker is coordinating with hospital officials and personnel to provide for the needs of the girl.