Stricter implementation of anti-bullying law urged

Malacanang, members of the Senate, the Department of Education and Culture (DepEd), and netizens found one voice yesterday – calling for the stricter implementation of the AntiBullying Act after a video showing a student initiating a brawl went viral on social media.

Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara called on schools to apply the provisions of the Anti-Bullying Act especially on incidents of bullying within their respective institutions.

Angara made the call after

a video showing an Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) junior high school student initiating a brawl with a fellow student went viral on social media.

“Just a reminder to schools to strictly enforce their anti-bullying policies required under the anti-bullying law,” Angara said in his Twitter account. “Our schools should not forget that under the Family Code, they are legally responsible for kids under their custody,” he said.

“Kids and parents have a right to demand that schools provide a safe and nurturing learning environment,” added Angara.

Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito also deplored the incident, saying parents should not accept such misbehavior from their children. “No to bullying. Parents shouldn’t tolerate their kids who bully other kids,” Ejercito said.

Under Republic Act 10627, or the Act Requiring All Elementary and Secondary Schools to Adopt Policies to Prevent and Address the Acts of Bullying in their Institutions, bullies can face the consequences of their actions, even be charged criminally.

The anti-bullying law covers not only physical, but also verbal, relational aggression, cyber-bullying, and sexual bullying.

Meanwhile, Malacañang urged the school to investigate the bullying incident, reminding them that there are anti-bullying laws that should be followed.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said that he was bothered after seeing the physically and verbally-violent video. "I watched that. I was bothered by what I saw. I think they should investigate first, why there was such a one-sided fight," he said Friday.

"I think the school should investigate the incidents and do something about it. You cannot be allowing bullying inside the classroom, and school. Besides, there is a law against that," he added.

"Given the fact that the one who mauled was much smaller. Parang ang liit niya, eh, nagulat nga ako 'yun pala ano siya, magaling sa Taekwondo (He appears small but I was surprised that he is good at Taekwondo)," he said.

The Department of Education, meanwhile, said it will monitor ADMU's investigation but will not intervene since it is a private school.

The Anti-Bullying Act of 2013 compels all elementary and secondary schools to adopt policies to address the existence of bullying in their respective institutions, including bullying through the use of technology or an electronic device.

The law also said that depending on the gravity of the offense, the bully or perpetrator will be given disciplinary sanctions and will be required to undergo a rehabilitation program that will be administered by the school concerned. The bully's parents are also encouraged to join the program.

The school principal or designated school officer, after investigation, may also notify the law enforcement agency if criminal charges under the Revised Penal code may be pursued against the perpetrator.

The Department of Education is tasked to prescribe appropriate administrative sanctions on schools administrators who will fail to comply with the law. Erring private schools, on the other hand, may get their permits to operate suspended.

DepEd reminder

In a related move, the Department of Education (DepEd) on Friday reminded all public and private Kindergarten, elementary, and secondary schools to ensure that anti-bullying policies are in place and enforced. Citing DepEd Order No. 40, series 2012 or the “DepEd Child Protection Policy,” the education department stressed that “zero tolerance against any form of violence against the child and provided for the establishment of a Child Protection Committee (CPC) in all public and private schools” is already institutionalized.

Additionally, DepEd Order No. 55, series 2013 (DO 55 s. 2013) or the “Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 10627 (RA 10627) Otherwise known as the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013,” also “requires all public and private schools to submit a copy of their child protection or anti-bullying policy to the Division Office.”

“Schools shall develop intervention strategies like counseling, life skills training, education and other activities that will enhance the psychological, emotional and psychosocial well-being of victims, bullies, and other parties who may be affected by the bullying incident,” DepEd said.

Meanwhile, DepEd clarified that those private schools that “fail to comply with the requirements” of RA 10627 or of the IRR “may face penalties under the law.”

ADMU statement

In a statement dated December 20, 2018, ADMU President Jose Ramon Villarin said that an investigation is already ongoing and that the University is “not treating this matter lightly.”

Villarin noted that on December 19, a video of Ateneo Junior High School students engaging in physical violence was posted on social media. On the same evening, he noted that the Ateneo JHS Principal Jose Salvador has already issued a statement that the school “had launched an investigation into the matter.” However, he noted that since then, “more videos have come to our attention.”

“I would like to assure everyone that our investigation is ongoing and that we are not treating this matter lightly,” Villarin said in the

statement issued to the University Community.

Villarin noted that are school authorities are going through the process and “move towards a disciplinary action,” he appealed to the members of the school community to “be mindful of the consequences spiraling out of control when specific videos and comments are shared on social media.”

Meanwhile, Villarin noted that the “school does not condone such behavior” referring to the student who was seen attacking his fellow learner.

‘Don’t bully the bully’

Meanwhile, two senators have appealed to netizens and the public not to verbally attack the young “bully” who is now viral on social media.

Senator Nancy Binay said she is dismayed at how netizens are tormenting the teenager who was caught bullying other high school students, saying it would only worsen the culture of hate.

“We must condemn all forms of bullying. But what’s bothersome, though, is the vicious cycle of bullying. Bullying does not end by bullying the bully. It only worsens the culture of hate,” Binay said in a statement.

Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, on his Twitter account, wrote: “Galit tayo sa isang bully at dapat lang pero sa galit natin ‘binubully’ naman natin siya sa Facebook? So kung ganun ano ang pinagkaiba natin sa kanya?”

“We should never, never become the monster we seek to defeat,” Pangilinan said.

In a separate statement, the senator said bullying should never be tolerated and left unpunished but the punishment should be childappropriate and consistent with RA 10627 or the Anti-Bullying Act.

Sen. Paolo “Bam” Aquino echoed Pangilinan’s call and said school authorities should ensure that universities and all other learning institutions should be free of any form of violence and abuse.

He said it is important that policies are in place and are working to ensure that this would not happen again in the near future.