MANILA, Philippines — The kid who was caught on video bullying other kids should get psychiatric help, Senator JV Ejercito said on Friday.
“The kid needs psychiatric help given the numerous times he has been involved in bullying other kids,” Ejercito said in a text message.
At least four videos of the kid — purportedly a student of the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Junior High School — bullying other kids have circulated on social media.
READ: Ateneo probes bullying incident in junior high school
Commenting on one Twitter post Thursday, the senator called the kid as “sick,” noting the number of kids he had bullied.
“The kid is sick. He bullied many kids on video pa!” he said.
Ejercito called on parents not to “tolerate” their kids who bully other kids.
“The responsibility of raising one’s child rests on the parents,” he said on the same text message.
The problem with the bully kid, Ejercito said, is that the parents had either “tolerated the attitude or simply failed to inculcate correct values and behavior.”
A former Taekwondo student himself, the senator said students of martial arts are taught to use their skills “only for self-defense and never for aggression.”
“I myself was at one time a Taekwondo student which is why I know the discipline that is being taught,” the senator added.
Senator Sonny Angara also took to Twitter earlier to condemn the bullying incident, calling the viral videos “disturbing.”
Angara reminded schools to strictly enforce the Anti-Bullying Law.
“Our schools should not forget that under the Family Code they are legally responsible for kids under their custody,” he said.
“Kids and parents have a right to demand that schools provide a safe and nurturing learning environment,” he added.
The school has already launched an immediate investigation into the bullying incident involving its students. /je
READ: Ateneo vows to kick out student if found guilty of bullying