CONCEPCION, Tarlac (April 6, 2026) — A wave of public outrage has hit the town of Concepcion following the viral spread of a social media video showing students from Benigno S. Aquino National High School (BSANHS) allegedly engaging in acts of animal cruelty.
The disturbing footage, which first surfaced on TikTok and later migrated to Facebook, Reddit, and Instagram, depicts four teenagers trapping several cats inside an empty rice sack. In the video, the youths are seen repeatedly kicking the sack and striking it with a basin. One individual is also captured “helicoptering” the bag, swinging it violently through the air.
Adding to the controversy was the video’s caption, which read “POV: buntis lahat ng ligaw na pusa” (POV: all the stray cats are pregnant), punctuated by two laughing emojis.
The local community quickly identified the individuals involved as students from BSANHS, ranging from Grade 7 to Grade 12. One of the suspects, Janice (not her real name), was further identified as having ties to a local religious institution.
The Hesus Mabuting Pastol Parish in Concepcion issued a formal statement on Monday, April 6, clarifying Janice’s current status. The parish confirmed that ‘Janice’ is a former server and is no longer active in their ministries.
“As a community of faith, we are called to be responsible stewards of all of God’s creation. Hesus Mabuting Pastol Parish stands firm in its Christian values and does not condone any form of abuse, including any forms of animal abuse,” the parish stated.
They further emphasized that ‘Janice’ does not represent the church in any capacity and urged the public to report illegal activities to the proper authorities.
The administration of Benigno S. Aquino National High School also broke its silence, confirming that the individuals in the video include a Grade 7 student and a Grade 10 completer. The person who allegedly uploaded the footage was identified as a former Grade 12 student who has already graduated from the institution.
While the school noted that the incident occurred outside school premises and within the students’ respective homes, the administration maintained a firm stance against the behavior.
“BSANHS strongly condemns any act of cruelty toward animals. As an institution committed to promoting the values of respect, compassion, and responsible citizenship, we do not tolerate any form of violence or harm to animals or any living being,” the school administration said in an official statement.
The school has reportedly mobilized class advisers to reach out to the involved students for counseling. The administration also confirmed that parents have been notified to coordinate on disciplinary actions and “appropriate guidance.”
The incident has reignited calls for the strict enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act of 1998, which penalizes the maltreatment of animals.
A Facebook user who helped identify the students summed up the sentiments of many online, questioning if the abuse was orchestrated simply for “clout.”
“This is animal abuse! Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). while also posting this abuse on TikTok and Instagram for what? Stupid likes, and engagement? I hope you get the clout you wanted,” the uploader wrote.
