DSWD searches for parents of kids in drinking session video

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will conduct an investigation on a recent viral video of children having a drinking session, a Palace official said Friday.

Commenting on the clip currently going around social networking sites and largely criticized by netizens, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a press briefing that DSWD Secretary Corazon "Dinky" Soliman will send its staff to look for the children's parents and look into the case.

Adults in the video seemed to be observing in amusement the booze session among the 12 kids, seen taking shots of vodka alternated with a chaser.

"DSWD will case workers to find the parents and they will assess the situation not only based on the video, but on the relationship of the children to their parents," Valte said.

She added that the agency will also evaluate whether the parents are fit to raise children and can create an environment suitable for them.

Valte added, however, that government intervention will only be of a secondary role as parents are the ones primarily responsible for their children.

The National Youth Commission (NYC) denounced underage drinking as seen in the recording uploaded last Wednesday, saying the adults may have violated the Anti-Child Abuse Act.

"Culpability or penalties should be meted out not only to store owners and sellers but also to parents, guardians and supervising adults during the incident," NYC chairman Leon Flores said in a statement.

Flores also called on stronger laws to prohibit drinking among minors and expressed lament on the "indiscretion and lack of better judgment" of supervising adults.