Ateneo urged to ‘discipline the bully, heal the victim’ – Hontiveros

Sen. Risa Hontiveros. INQUIRER file photo / RICHARD A. REYES

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Risa Hontiveros on Friday urged her alma mater, Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), to discipline the student who was caught bullying other students in the campus.

“There is absolutely no place, in any school, for bullying,” Hontiveros said in a statement. “I urge the Ateneo to discipline the offender and immediately see to the healing of the victim.”

Hontiveros also called on Ateneo Junior High Schools’ guidance office to be vigilant in ensuring their students’ protection.

“I call upon the guidance office of the Ateneo Jr. High School Department to be more vigilant, so that the protection of all students is ensured,” the senator said.

The senator also raised her concern on fake reports that distorted her stand on the incident, noting that the public must not be fooled by such misleading reports.

Hontiveros was referring to a purported statement of hers circulating online that defends the bully, saying the student was only practicing his taekwondo skills. /kga