More senators demand swift action on child bullying incident

More senators have expressed concern over the alleged bullying incidents involving an Ateneo de Manila University-Junior High School student and his peers as shown in a series of viral videos.

During an interview on dwIZ Radio  on Saturday, Senate President Vicente Sotto III emphasized that the law demands swift action from both the schools and the parents.

"Sa batas ay nananagot ang eskwelahan sa mga bullying at saka 'yung magulang, pag aralan nilang mabuti yung batas, may law school pa naman sila. Masamang pangyayari yun para sa isang eskwelahan. Alam natin nangyayari yan, pero ang mabilis na aksyon ng eskwelahan ang mahalaga," he said.

When asked to comment on critics who are sympathizing with the alleged aggressor for being "cyberbullied" online, Sotto stressed that actual physical confrontation is different.

"Ginawa mong magnet ang sarili mo. Eh di ganun yun, kasi naman, well di ko alam pagdating sa cyberbullying kasi ako ang favorite na sina-cyber bully. Wala tinatawanan ko lang ang pinakamagandang (gawin) sa cyberbully, wag mong basahin. Mag-deactivate ka wag kang mag-Facebook, wag kang mag-Twtitter. 'Di tulad ng binu-bully ka physically, iba 'yun. May confrontation," he said.

The Senate President, however, clarified that his views are based on his own experience and said the incident should be a "wake-up call" for all.

In a separate interview, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian reiterated that the law makes it every school's responsibility to ensure a safe, bully-free environment.

Gatchalian also weighed in on the supposed cyberbullying of the tough-talking minor in the video, noting it has been two days and his camp has not issued a publicized apology to the victim.

"Dalawang araw nang nangyari 'to pero 'yung magulang ay hindi pa humihingi ng paumanhin doon sa naging biktima at hindi pa humihingi ng paumanhin sa nangyari, so kinukunsinte ito ng kanyang magulang...Dahil kung ako 'yung magulang, kaagad akong hihingi ng paumanhin du'n sa biktima at hihingi ako ng dispensa," said the senator.

In a written dispatch, detained Senator Leila de Lima called for a total end to the cycle of bullying instead of "counter-productively" inflicting punishment on the apparent bully.

"To merely pass judgment is counterproductive: society – especially social media – wags and points an accusatory finger, the child gets defensive, the parents get defensive, the victim might get some relief, but it doesn’t solve the underlying problem," the senator said.

"Everybody takes sides when, really, we all want the same thing. To make sure the kid never bullies again," she added.

De Lima, however, expressed concern over the "unthinkable" behavior displayed by the child in the video and encouraged parents to be more accountable for their children's actions.

"Ang hirap isipin kung saan mapupulot ng isang musmos na bata ang linyang: Bugbog o dignidad? Clearly, he knows that a person’s dignity is important enough to be held hostage, and at least at par with a person’s physical well-being that it would be difficult for his victim to make a choice. This isn’t schoolyard bullying, this sounds like expert-level sadism. He learned it from somewhere," she said.

"And that’s the important thing to investigate: where or why is a child so young exposed to such level of abuse? Is there abuse in the family? In his circle of relatives? At school? Among his peers? From figures of authority?" De Lima added.

Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) officials have already launched an investigation into the incident and met with both parties involved in the video.

A statement from the office of ADMU President Fr. Jose Ramon Villarin SJ issued on Friday said: "The case shall be decided soonest, and this decision shared with the community."

When the question about the apparent cyber-bullying was directed to Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III during his interview, he said: "Everybody deserves second chance, lalo na 'yung mga bata."

"So hayaan na natin ang Ateneo, ang school na po ang mag-ayos nito. Kasi 150-plus years-old na 'yang Ateneo. May system na po yan, but the system takes time... due process takes time," he added. — MDM, GMA News