Ateneo bully claims self-defense

MANILA, Philippines — The Ateneo junior high school student dismissed over an incident of bullying that went viral on social media yesterday claimed that it was a case of self-defense. 

In an interview with GMA News aired last night, the student called out those who made ill remarks against him over the incident. 

“I just wish that they did not say what they said in the first place,” he said, referring to those who criticized him after the video went viral last month. 

“I was just defending myself. I did not bully (anyone) for no reason,” he added. 

Asked if he admits that he committed a mistake, the student said he should not have reacted violently. 

His mother also apologized to the victim and the Ateneo over the incident. 

“I would like to apologize for the action of my son. To (the person) he hurt, to the school that was dragged in the issue,” she said. 

“I apologize. But I would like to also ask for people’s understanding because this child is my son,” she added. 

GMA News earlier aired an interview of a supposed witness, who claimed that it was the victim who provoked the dismissed student.

The victim’s family and the Ateneo junior high school have yet to comment on the matter. 

Aside from the incident at the school’s restroom, several videos also surfaced showing the dismissed student involved in similar incidents. 

He was dismissed following an investigation conducted by the Ateneo. 

“After a thorough investigation that included listening to all parties involved, the decision of the administration is to impose the penalty of dismissal on the student caught bullying another student in the comfort room of the school,” Ateneo president Jose Ramon Villarin said in a memorandum addressed to the university community. 

“This means that he is no longer allowed to come back to the Ateneo. I have spoken to the parents of both students about this decision and have offered the families the continued support to help them overcome this difficult time,” he added.

The Department of Education yesterday said it has not received a copy of the dismissal order of Ateneo. 

It said no appeal has been filed before the division office in Quezon City with regard to the decision. 

Education Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Josephine Maribojoc said the DepEd regional office in Metro Manila has already requested Ateneo to submit the report, including a copy of the decision dismissing the involved student.

“Even if there is no appeal lodged in our offices, it’s part of the mandate of the regional office to monitor the implementation of the Anti-Bullying Act and its IRR (implementing rules and regulations),” she said on Wednesday.

Maribojoc said school officials vowed submit the report to the DepEd. She said no appeal has been filed with the department regarding Ateneo’s decision to dismiss the student.

The DepEd said it is currently investigating another case of bullying that resulted in the alleged suicide of a Grade 10 student of Las Piñas National High School last year.

The student supposedly took his own life after an incident of bullying, which his parents discovered in a video in his cellphone.

The parents of the student also alleged that the class adviser was aware of the incident.

In an interview with News 5, Education Undersecretary Tonisito Umali said the teacher has been placed under preventive suspension.

The school division of Las Piñas said they have created a task force to investigate the incident, including possible accountability of the teacher.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones said they gathering data on the incident, stressing the role of education stakeholders – particularly the teachers and parents – in addressing the issue of bullying.