Taekwondo assn bans teenage bully but…

There’s a second chance 

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Taekwondo Association said the doors are still open for the high school student who was caught on video assaulting a fellow student at the Ateneo.

“If he shows remorse and undergoes rehabilitation, the PTA will welcome him back,” PTA president Robert Aventajado told The STAR yesterday.

“It’s all about giving this young taekwondo practitioner a second chance. But he must show remorse,” added Aventajado.

The PTA, which governs all taekwondo-related activities in the country, conducted its own probe on the recent incident that has gone viral.

The PTA ad hoc committee, according to Aventajado, has decided to ban the junior high school student indefinitely from all PTA events.

“This means he is barred from competing or joining any PTA-sanctioned event,” said the former government negotiator and chairman of the Philippine Olympic Committee.

The sanction includes belt promotions and entry in any PTA facility or institution.

“It is effective immediately,” said Aventajado.

But the PTA president stressed that it’s not the end of the road for the student, who has been dismissed by the Ateneo de Manila University.

“This means that he is no longer allowed to come back to the Ateneo,” said ADMU in a written statement.

The PTA, however, is open to reconciliation. It also called on the public to be “mindful of their comments particularly on social media, bearing in mind that the subjects are minors.”

“We are recommending the student undergo rehabilitation with organizations equipped to handle his counseling,” it said in an official statement.

“The PTA on its part will endeavor to lend support through its taekwondo education and training programs. The aim for this is to allow the individual to own responsibility for his actions, show remorse and contribute positively to the community,” it added.

Aventajado said the ball is now in the hands of the young taekwondo practitioner and his family, including his parents.

“Should he or his family decline this option, the PTA will have no choice but to expel the practitioner from the association,” said the PTA.

“Simply put, we are giving him a second chance,” Aventajado said.