Ateneo University in Philippines kicks out bully in viral video

MANILA, Dec 24, 2018, The Philippine Star. The Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) has dismissed the junior high school student involved in a bullying incident that drew widespread condemnation online, reported The Philippine Star.

Ateneo president Jose Ramon Villarin, in a memorandum released yesterday, said he has met with the parents of the students involved and informed them of the decision.

“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,” read the memo addressed to the university community.

“This means that he is no longer allowed to come back to the Ateneo. I have spoken to the parents of both students about this decision and have offered the families the continued support to help them overcome this difficult time,” it added.

Villarin said they are continuing their investigation as there are still other matters involved.

Based on regulations issued by the Department of Education, private schools may impose the penalty of dismissal or exclusion from the school rolls for being undesirable. Transfer credentials will be issued to enable the student to enroll in another school.

Meanwhile, a penalty of expulsion may be imposed only with the approval of the secretary of education. Expelled students will not be allowed to enroll in any public or private school in the country.

Task force

Villarin reiterated Ateneo’s clear stand against bullying, noting existing policies and processes codified in the student handbook in accordance with existing legislation.

He stressed, however, the need to ensure that these policies and processes as well as the values they promote are internalized by all members of the university community.

To do this, the Ateneo president said he has formed a task force to conduct a comprehensive study on the current situation, ensure an independent audit of the present measures and systems and promptly recommend how the school administration can create a safer and bully-free environment.

“Such an environment shall prevent a culture of silence from harming our students and encourage everyone to speak up against bullying and other forms of misconduct without fear of retaliation or censure,” he said.

“Such an environment will empower students to become the Ateneans we all desire them to be for others,” he added.

Commended

Malacañang praised Ateneo for its swift action on the bullying incident, but called on the school to finish its investigation soon while Senators are eyeing amendments to strengthen the Anti-Bullying Law.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a statement issued yesterday that the investigation has yet to be concluded as regards the rest of those involved.

“While we respect ADMU’s academic freedom, we hope that it could finish the ongoing investigation the soonest and with regard to due process, in line with applicable jurisprudence on schools,” he added.

Panelo urged all educational institutions in the country to establish proper mechanisms to strictly monitor the activities of their students and ensure the strict implementation of the Anti-Bullying Law.

“We are aware of several incidents of bullying that go unpunished by schools. We hope that this occurrence will serve as a reminder that bullying is something that should never be tolerated nor condoned in any civilized institution,” Panelo said.

Stop fighting and culture of violence

Villarin said the incident has inflicted widespread pain not only to persons involved but to every member of the university community.

He appealed to the public not to add fuel to the fire and let the children and everyone affected heal from the incident.

Children’s rights and welfare group Salinlahi and Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar also urged the public to avoid actions that embolden the culture of violence.

Salinlahi secretary-general Eule Rico Bonganay said a higher level of understanding must be exercised because “by inciting harm against the child and his family, we are unwittingly committing the same act of bullying that we are supposedly condemning.”

Villarin stressed: “We have the power to amplify the pain by simply fanning the flames of hatred and violence, by fighting fire with fire. Our young ones cannot escape all this unscathed. They are the ones most wounded by our violent words and example.”

“As we approach Christmas, we are reminded by the prophet that there is a light that shines in the darkness. It is this light of Christmas that can guide us on the journey to becoming a people of peace,” Villarin said.

Panelo and Senate President Vicente Sotto III also said parents and schools should be more proactive in stopping bullying incidents.

“Apparently, this (bullying) is not the first time it happened, and it’s impossible that they (parents and ADMU) did not know about this,” Sotto told dzBB over the weekend.

Panelo also advised parents and guardians to “keep guiding their children towards righteousness” and be good examples for the youth to emulate.

“We consider this incident as a lesson for us to encourage our children to be more open when it comes to expressing their concerns both inside and outside their schools,” Panelo said.

“As adults, our children look up to us for support and guidance. We cannot stress enough how important it is for us to spend quality time with them during their growing years, especially in a generation where modern technology has become a fierce competitor for the youth’s time and attention,” he added.

Andanar expressed hope that everyone would learn from the bullying incident and advised the parents of the student not to bring the child in public places like malls to avoid confrontation with those who were angered by it.

“Let’s now move forward knowing well that there are moral values and laws we need to abide by or follow. Bullying has no place in our society. Let’s forgive and peacefully celebrate Christmas,” Andanar said in a text message.

Stronger law

Sen. Grace Poe said the unfortunate incident should serve as a wakeup call for legislators to revisit Republic Act 10627 or the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013 to fill in some gaps as to the role of the schools in dealing with actual cases and make it truly responsive to the problem of bullying.

Poe, vice-chairperson of the Senate committee on public order, said the Anti-Bullying Law should be strengthened to require concrete and timely action from schools.

Poe stressed the current law gives the school administrators too much discretion on when to act on the bullying case.

“It leaves it up to them to determine whether appropriate action can be taken,” she explained.

The senator said one possible amendment to the law would require removing the section that gives total discretion to the school and responding to incidents more promptly.

“For example, anti-bullying committees should be formed, which shall act upon reports of bullying within 30 days after the incident,” she said, adding that a delayed reaction would be detrimental, as it allows the perpetrator to repeat the bullying act.

The members of the proposed body or committee that would look into the incident should not be related in any way to the parties involved, Poe said.

Furthermore, the alleged perpetrator must be required to take a leave of absence until the investigation is completed, she said.

Janvic Mateo with Alexis Romero, Paolo Romero

Tags: Philippines