‘Bothered’ by bullying incident, Palace urges Ateneo: ‘Do something about it’

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo. INQUIRER file photo

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang is “bothered” by a viral video of a bullying incident involving students of the Ateneo Junior High School (AJHS) and urged the school to “do something about it.”

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said he watched the video and said “bullying inside the classroom and school” should not be allowed.

A viral video that circulated Thursday showed some students of the AJHS bullying a student inside a comfort room. The verbal attacks eventually became physical assault.

READ: Ateneo vows to kick out student if found guilty of bullying

“I watched that. I was bothered by what I saw. I think they should investigate first why there was such a one-sided fight,” Panelo said in a Palace briefing.

“It should be investigated. I think the school should investigate the incidents and do something about it,” he added.

The Palace official further said “you cannot be allowing bullying inside the classroom, and school,” citing that “there is a law against that.”

Ateneo has conducted an urgent investigation on the incident and said it would not hesitate to dismiss or expel students who may be found guilty of grave misconduct.

READ: Ateneo vows to kick out student if found guilty of bullying

/kga