Ateneo de Davao dismisses student in alleged bullying incident

DAVAO CITY — The Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) on Thursday said it had dismissed the student who allegedly bullied another following a thorough investigation.

In a statement posted on its social media account, the university said it had “completed the disciplinary proceedings concerning the student found responsible for the bullying incident in our Junior High School.”

“Following due process, the student has been dismissed from the Junior High School, effective immediately. Our inquiry into other aspects of the incident, including the involvement of other students, continues,” the university said.

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READ: Bullying goes beyond school grounds, child rights advocates say

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“Our concern remains with the student who was harmed and his family. We recognize their pain and distress, and we will continue to accompany them with care and support,” it added.

The school said that it immediately launched an investigation upon receiving information about the bullying incident.

“Violence and bullying have no place at Ateneo de Davao University. Those responsible for harming others will be held accountable, with due process. Our commitment to accountability is inseparable from our mission of care and formation,” the school emphasized.

AdDU however, withheld information about the identities of those involved as it also urged the public to keep the privacy of the minors who were involved in the incident.

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A video of the alleged incident had circulated on social media, which even generated rage posts directed at the family of the alleged perpetrator.

“We ask the public to help protect the dignity and privacy of all minors involved by refraining from sharing videos of the incident or information that could identify them,” AdDU appealed.

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The university said it has created a task force on bullying prevention and safe learning environments “to review how bullying concerns, past and present, have been reported, addressed, and followed through” to improve its safeguards and response system.

READ: Youth urged to report cases of bullying, safety concerns

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“This incident calls us to humility, reflection, and action. We must face where we have fallen short and strengthen the ways we protect and care for every learner entrusted to us. We owe our students and their families both accountability for what happened and meaningful steps to prevent further harm,” AdDU said. /coa