(Eagle News)–Ateneo De Manila University president Jose Ramon Villarin said on Thursday night that the school was “not silent on its stand against violence,” and will “not hesitate to impose the penalty of dismissal or even expulsion in cases of grave misconduct.”
Villarin issued the statement after a video showing a student physically assaulting another, and several other videos showing the same student throwing punches at other boys of the school, went viral online.
According to Villarin, their investigation was ongoing and “we are not treating this matter lightly.”
In fact, he said the Junior High School Committee on Discipline “has been meeting since the incident has been reported and has been conducting all the inquiries we need to come up with a decision.”
“Let me be very clear: The school does not condone such behavior. We have our codified standards of conduct and all students are made aware of these and their rights and responsibilities,” Villarin said, noting that the “hallmark of Ateneo education is teaching our young men to respect the dignity of others, to practice the value of communication and dialogue, and to cultivate the compassion and discipline we all need to build mutual respect and peace in the community.”
He, however, also urged the public to “be mindful of consequences spiraling out of control when specific videos are shared on social media.”
“Again, we are treating the matter with the highest priority and urgency…I request as well your prayers for our students and their families and all those affected by such terrible incidents of violence,” he said.
