The Ateneo student dismissed for bullying claimed his actions were self-defense while his mother appealed that the public understand her son is just a child.
The student of Ateneo Junior High School aired his side in a GMA News report in the bullying incidents that were recorded on video and went viral.
In the bathroom incident, he claimed that the other student was the one who challenged him earlier that day to a duel after class. However, it appeared he was the aggressive one in the video.
“Para saken hindi naman bullying ‘yong ginawa ko because I was also defending myself naman in a way. Kaso nga lang, in the video, mukhang ako talaga ‘yong mas aggressive. Pero before that di naman nila alam kung ano ‘yong nangyari,” he said.
When asked about the other two viral clips, he said that the students there were all his friends who were merely horsing around.
“It was just for fun kaso nga lang it looked bad kaya nagamit din yun against me,” he said referring to one of the clips which showed him ordering a boy to kneel before him.
The Grade Nine student expressed his dismay over the attacks he received online.
“I just wish na hindi sinabi ‘yong mga sinabi nila in the first place,” he said.
His mother also apologized for the actions of his son and to the other boys who got involved in the controversy.
“I would like to apologize for the action of my son. Sa nasaktan niya, sa school kung na-drag man ang school sa isyu na ‘to, I apologize,” she said.
“Pero gusto ko ring hingin yung understanding ng tao na bata itong anak ko eh,” she added.
Last December, three video clips made rounds on social media involving the boy’s aggression toward others. It drew widespread criticisms on the perpetrator and members of his family.
The incidents also triggered an online campaign against bullying in all forms.
Ateneo officials, a child rights group and other concerned individuals sought to stop the spread of the viral clips.
Days later, the school administration announced its decision to dismiss him.
The child’s mother, however, deemed this unfair.
“Pangarap ng mga magulang sa anak, yan ang pinutol nila sa amin,” she said.
What people have to say?
Some people questioned the student’s explanation on self-defense given that he had a “videographer” to capture the events.
Others criticized the mother as she was perceived to be making excuses for her son’s actions.
