Guevarra: Ateneo bullying incident must be addressed ‘internally’

MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Friday said the bullying incident in Ateneo Junior High School (AJHS) must be addressed within the school’s policy and regulations, noting that children “lacking in maturity” are involved in the incident.

“I will advise them to address the situation internally, within the parameters of school policy and regulations. We are dealing with growing up and adolescent children lacking in maturity and discernment here. We need to exercise circumspection,” Guevarra said in a statement sent to reporters.

Guevarra was reacting on a viral video showing an AJHS student verbally and physically attacking another student inside the school.

AJHS said they are “dealing with the matter seriously” and started an immediate investigation into the bullying incident.

READ: Ateneo probes bullying incident in junior high school

Guevarra, an Ateneo alumnus, then said bullying incidents happen everywhere, noting the school’s administration and parents must have the responsibility to extend their understanding and sensitive care to the children involved in bullying.

“These things happen everywhere, in private and public schools, in exclusive and non-exclusive schools,” he said. “The school administration and the parents have the principal responsibility to address this concern; sensitive care and understanding should be extended to those young children who commit and/or are at the receiving end of these acts.” /kga