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- Palace made a statement about the viral Ateneo bullying incident.
- Salvador Panelo said that there should be a proper investigation made by the school to know the reasons behind the “one sided fight”.
The Palace finally expressed concern about the bullying incident at Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) Junior High School.
READ: Taekwondo high school athlete caught in the act; Netizens furious over bullying
On Thursday, December 20, a video of several happenings showing a student physically abusing his schoolmates made rounds online. This triggered discussions on how the authorities and patents of the the boy should deal with and prevent bullying incidents.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo shared that he has watched the videos and said that there must be an investigation.
“I watched that. I was bothered by what I saw. I think they should investigate why there was such a one-sided fight given the fact that the one who mauled was much smaller.”
He added that there must’ve been something that triggered the taekwondo practitioner for doing such.
“Sabi ko nga, baka may nag-trigger, kasi parang sinasabi nila na the bata should undergo psychiatric exam. Dapat talaga imbestigahan. The school should investigate and do something about it.”
AdMU President Dr. Jose Ramon Villiarin said that there’s currently an investigation ongoing.
Read and share the official statement of the AJHS Principal on the Fighting Video .
Posted by Ateneo de Manila Junior High School on Wednesday, December 19, 2018
In another statement, they said that they need help with “putting a stop to the indiscriminate spreading of the video.”
DepEd makes a statement.
Education Secretary Leonor Briones said that the viral videos can be used for leads for the investigation. It can also allow students to come forward with their version of the incident.
She also mentioned the 90-day suspension of a school administrator of Bicol Central Academy after a video of him burning the bags of students went viral.
“[The videos] were used as basis to ask people around. Naglabas na ang mga bata kasi may nagsubmit na ng video. Madami cases na nati-trigger ang inquiries, which lead to facts.
“Kasi may batas tayo sa child protection, depende sa edad ng bata kung anong penalty ang ipinapataw pero ang first responsibility is really the school administration.”
The Republic Act No. 10627 or the Anti-Bullying Act prohibits bullying on school grounds or properties immediately adjacent to school grounds, school-sponsored or school-related activities, functions or programs whether on or off school grounds; at school bus stops; on school buses or other vehicles owned, leased or used by a school.
“Kung maximum, kung talagang extreme, extreme, and I hope hindi ‘yan mangyayari, mamemeligro ang permit to operate ng school. Sometimes, it is not just students bullying fellow students but teachers bullying students or students bullying teachers.”
