Ateneo junior high ‘bully’ in viral video dismissed

Ateneo de Manila University president Fr. Jose Ramon T. Villarin, S.J., on Sunday said the junior high school student seen on a viral video bullying a fellow student in the restroom has been dismissed.

"After a thorough investigation that included listening to all parties involved, the decision of the administration is to impose the penalty of DISMISSAL on the student caught bullying another student in the comfort room of the school," Villarin said in a statement posted on the university's Facebook page.

"This means he is no longer allowed to come back to the Ateneo," he added.

Villarin said he has already informed the parents of both students about the decision.

He also said he has offered the families continued support as they deal with this difficult time.

Villarin added that investigation is still going on "as there are other matters involved in the incident."

He also said they have formed a task force to study the bullying situation in school, to assess their existing measures and systems, and to recommend solutions to establish a safer and bully-free environment in Ateneo.

Meanwhile, Villarin encouraged everyone to help the involved parties to heal instead of "adding fuel to the fire."

"We can summon the courage to stop fighting one another. We have that power too. We can begin by refusing to add fuel to the fire and helping our children and one another heal,” he said.

The said video which went viral on social media showed the dismissed student taunting another student inside the comfort room.

In the video, he dared the other student to choose between "bugbog" (to be beaten) or "dignidad" (which means to kiss his shoes and his private part).

Then the student, a taekwondo practitioner, took off his ID and started to beat the other student until the latter's nose bled.

On Friday, presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said he was bothered when he saw the viral video. 

“I watched that. I was bothered by what I saw. I think they should investigate first why there was such a one-sided fight given the fact that the one who mauled was much smaller. Ang liit niya eh. Nagulat nga ako. ‘Yun pala magaling siya sa taekwondo,” Panelo said at a news conference.

On Wednesday night, the parents of the student who was punched and kicked by his classmate reported the incident to the Station 9 of the Quezon City Police District. 

On Saturday, Makati City Representative and taekwondo champion Monsour del Rosario said the "bully" was a failed representation of the sport. —With Joviland Rita/KG, GMA News