Ateneo Bullying Incident: Who’s To Blame? DOJ Chief Speaks Up

Bullying, especially in schools, is no joke and what happened to Ateneo bullying incident is not just merely a student fight; but who’s to blame? DOJ Chief Secretary Menardo Guevarra speaks up. Republic Act No. 10627, otherwise known as the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013 has already implemented but it seems like there are still who doesn’t want to follow this law and bullies.

Republic Act No. 10627 also known as Anti-Bullying Act of 2013 defines acts of bullying and orders elementary and secondary schools to adopt policies to address bullying in their campuses. The policies should include provisions prohibiting bullying, establishing procedures for reporting such incidents, and identifying disciplinary actions.

Department of Education Secretary Leonor Briones on Friday said that the DepEd has been continuously addressing cases of bullying – and other forms of child abuse – in schools and reiterated the department’s commitment to promote a “child-friendly, gender-sensitive, safe, and motivating environment for all learners”; assuring that it “enforces zero tolerance on cases of child abuse, violence, exploitation, discrimination, bullying, and other forms of abuse.”

DEPED BRIONES/4AUG2016 At the Dept. of Education HQ in Pasig City, Sec. Leonor Briones holds a press conference, where she allayed fears about Education being on the back burner due to its minimal presence in the SONA, and annonced an new Undersecretary position to oversee the departments finances. MB PHOTO/FEDERICO CRUZ

However, incident like the Ateneo Bullying Incident is out of control especially when the cause of the bullying is within the student itself. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said on Friday that the “principal responsibility” to address the viral bullying incident at the Ateneo Junior High School lies with the school administration and the parents of the children involved.

Department of Justice will extend help to the parents of the apparently bullied advising 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,” the Justice chief, an Atenean, said in a message to reporters on Friday.

“Sensitive care and understanding should be extended to these young children who commit and/or are at the receiving end of these acts, lest they be psychologically or emotionally scarred forever,” he said.

Who should we blame on bullying incident like this? Tell us your opinion here.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones on Friday said that the Department of Education (DepEd) has been continuously addressing cases of bullying – and other forms of child abuse – in schools and reiterated the department’s commitment to promote a “child-friendly, gender-sensitive, safe, and motivating environment for all learners.”

DepEd has assured that it “enforces zero tolerance on cases of child abuse, violence, exploitation, discrimination, bullying, and other forms of abuse.”

However, incidents like the Ateneo Bullying Incident
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said on Friday that the “principal responsibility” to address the viral bullying incident at the Ateneo Junior High School lies with the school administration and the parents of the children involved.

Department of Justice will extend help to the parents of the apparently bullied advising 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,” the Justice chief, an Atenean, said in a message to reporters on Friday.

“Sensitive care and understanding should be extended to these young children who commit and/or are at the receiving end of these acts, lest they be psychologically or emotionally scarred forever,” he said.

Who should we blame on bullying incident like this? Tell us your opinion here.

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