MANILA, Philippines – A video of a junior high school student from Ateneo De Manila University has stirred up social media storm for assaulting his classmate inside the school’s restroom.
The video shows a small student bullying and discriminating his fellow student.
Later on the video, the bully started kicking and punching his helpless classmate after the latter answered ‘bugbog’ when the bully made him choose between ‘bugbog’ or ‘dignidad’. The video ended with the victim enduring a bloodied nose.
The incident happened on Wednesday (December 19).
Ateneo JHS principal Jose Antonio Salvador issued a statement on Thursday evening acknowledging the incident as “an evident act of violence that constitutes a serious violation of disciplinary misconduct.”
Statement of Ateneo De Manila Junior High School Principal
Salvador, however, said: “We express our concern also about the risks associated with sharing the video, online and in social media groups. Not only has the privacy rights of these minors, been breached but it has also provoked some reactions that do little to help the school in dealing appropriately with the incident.”
He appeals to the public “to help in putting a stop to the indiscriminate spreading of the video.”
University President Jose Ramon Villarin, meanwhile, supported Salvador and assured that the school is “treating the matter with highest priority and urgency” as the school immediately launched an investigation on the matter.
The bully is said to be a Taekwando gold medalist and a black belter in the said martial art.
But the Philippine Taekwondo Association in a statement said the group “condemns’ any use of the sport for harassment, bullying or any act of violence.
“Our association reiterates its objective to teach all Taekwondo practitioners self-respect and respect for others,” the group said and promised to conduct its own investigation on the matter.
Statement of Philippine Taekwondo Association
The Department of Education (DepEd) on Friday (December 21) said it is already monitoring the investigation on the matter.
Likewise, it reminds public and private schools to implement ‘comprehensive, multifaceted’ bullying prevention policies in accordance with Republic Act No. 10627 or the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013.
The law’s Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) requires all public and private schools to submit a copy of their child protection or anti-bullying policy to the division office.
Statement of Department of Education
At the end of the statement, the DepEd “encourages learners who experience or witness bullying, abuse or retaliation to speak up and report verified incidents to appropriate authorities for proper intervention.” – Marje Pelayo
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