Ateneo probes bullying incident in junior high school

MANILA, Philippines — The Ateneo Junior High School (AJHS) has launched an urgent investigation into a bullying incident inside its premises that was captured in a now viral video on social media.

In a statement on Thursday, AJHS said it is “dealing with this matter seriously beginning with an immediate investigation that ensued the moment the report reached us.”

https://www.facebook.com/AteneoJHS/photos/a.511214555600762/1942907239098146/?type=3&theater

The school also appealed to the public to stop to the “indiscriminate spreading of the video” as it emphasized the “risks associated with sharing the video, online and in social media groups.”

“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,” it said.

The viral video on Facebook showed some AJHS students bullying other students – ranging from verbal to physical attacks.

“Bugbog o dignidad? (Assault or dignity?),” a student asked another student, prodding the victim to choose.

The victim chose to be beaten up, to which the bully student said: “Kasi kung pinili niya yung dignidad, papaluin ko siya, hahalikan niya yung dalawa kong sapatos pero gusto niya bugbog (Because if he chose dignity, I will slap him, and he will kiss my shoes but he wanted to be beaten up.).”

Almost immediately thereafter, the student started assaulting the victim.

Another video showing an AJHS student verbally attacking another student, who was kneeling down, also went viral online. The victim was eventually forced to call himself “bobo” or stupid.

This video has already been taken down, as of this posting.

Meanwhile, Sen. Sonny Angara urged AJHS to implement their anti-bullying policies as required under the Anti-Bullying law.

“Just a reminder to schools to strictly enforce their AntiBullying policies required under the AntiBullying Law. Disturbing videos going viral now,” Angara said on Twitter.

Just a reminder to schools to strictly enforce their AntiBullying policies required under the AntiBullying Law. Disturbing videos going viral now. #NoToBullying

— Sonny Angara (@sonnyangara) December 20, 2018

The viral video likewise caught the attention of Sen. JV Ejercito.

“No to bullying.  Parents shouldn’t tolerate their kids who bully other kids,” he said on Twitter.

No to bullying. Parents shouldn’t tolerate their kids who bully other kids.

— JV Ejercito (@jvejercito) December 20, 2018