Last Updated on October 8, 2026 by admin
In early April 2026, a TikTok video from Concepcion, Tarlac showed young people putting a cat in a sack, swinging it and kicking it. After the clip spread, a Facebook user named Audrey Gy rescued one of the cats on April 7 and named him Payapa, Filipino for “peaceful.” Here is what was reported, and what Philippine law says about animal cruelty.
What the Tarlac cat video showed
According to Interaksyon, the clip showed a cat being put into a sack, swung and kicked. It carried the caption “POV: Buntis lahat ng ligaw na pusa” (“all the stray cats are pregnant”) with laughing emojis. A Reddit user raised it in r/Philippines on Sunday, April 5, and the post drew about 1,400 upvotes. The Facebook page “Valid ba?” reposted it on April 6.
ABS-CBN News reported that the video raised alarm among netizens, local officials and animal welfare groups.
Who was involved
Benigno S. Aquino National High School (BSANHS) said the people in the video included a Grade 7 student and a Grade 10 completer, and that the person who posted it was a former Grade 12 student who had already graduated. The school said the incident happened at the students’ homes, not on school grounds. It said it contacted the students through their advisers, gave counseling, informed their parents and coordinated on disciplinary action.
Concepcion Mayor Noel Villanueva said the local government was coordinating with authorities so that action would follow the law. He also asked the public not to spread unverified information or harass the people involved, especially minors.
How Payapa was rescued
On April 7, Audrey Gy posted on Facebook that she had rescued the cat that night, right after work, Interaksyon reported. She said:
- There were five cats at the compound, and two were the ones harmed in the video.
- None of the cats in the sack were pregnant, despite the caption. There was a pregnant black cat on the property, but she was not in the video.
- She planned to go back for the other four cats once they could be caught.
- She planned to have Payapa neutered once he recovered and to keep him with her other rescued cats.
She also thanked Mayor Villanueva and other local officials for their help, and said the parents of the minors had been referred to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). She said she did not know whether a case had been filed.
What the law says: Animal Welfare Act Philippines penalties
Animal cruelty in the Philippines falls under the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 (Republic Act No. 8485), as amended by Republic Act No. 10631 in 2013. It makes it unlawful to torture, neglect or maltreat any animal. Penalties under Section 9 depend on what happened to the animal:
| Outcome for the animal | Imprisonment | Fine (up to) |
|---|---|---|
| Animal dies | 1 year, 6 months and 1 day to 2 years | PHP 100,000 |
| Severely injured, needs human help to survive | 1 year and 1 day to 1 year and 6 months | PHP 50,000 |
| Cruelty or neglect without death or lasting incapacity | 6 months to 1 year | PHP 30,000 |
| Aggravated (syndicate, business, public officer, or 3+ animals) | 2 years and 1 day to 3 years | PHP 250,000 |
Prison and fines can be imposed separately or together.
Why minors are referred to the DSWD
Under the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act (RA 9344), a child aged 15 or younger is exempt from criminal liability. A child over 15 but under 18 is also exempt unless they acted with discernment. Exempt children go through an intervention program instead, which is why cases like this one usually go to social welfare officers rather than to court.
How to report cat abuse in the Philippines
- Save the evidence: the video link, the account that posted it, the date and the location. Do not repost it with personal details of minors.
- Report to your barangay and city or municipal veterinary office, or to the police.
- Contact an established animal welfare group, such as the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), for advice on filing a complaint.
- Report the post to the platform so it can be reviewed.
If you take in a cat that has been hurt, a vet check comes first. Our guides on caring for an abused cat and how cats remember trauma cover the weeks after a rescue.
More Philippine cat rescue stories
- Nicolas, found drooling in a garden and covered in flies
- How Nicolas, an FIV-positive cat, found his home
FAQ
Where did the Tarlac cat abuse video happen?
In Concepcion, Tarlac. The school said it happened at the students’ homes, not at the school.
Were the cats in the video pregnant?
No. The rescuer said none of the cats in the sack were pregnant. A pregnant black cat lived at the compound but was not in the video.
What is the penalty for animal cruelty in the Philippines?
Under RA 8485 as amended by RA 10631, from 6 months to 3 years in prison and/or fines of up to PHP 250,000, depending on the harm and on aggravating circumstances.
What does Payapa mean?
“Payapa” is Filipino for peaceful or calm.