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Child welfare office says Ateneo bullying incident a crime

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ABS-CBN News

<figure class="op-interactive"><div id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_1_Container"> <ivs-player id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_1" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-vid="1396161" data-ivs-floating="1"></ivs-player> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/iframe-parent.js"></script> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script> </div></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><p>MANILA - The government&#x27;s child welfare office said Friday it considers the bullying incident at the Ateneo de Manila University Junior High School as a crime.</p><p>Council for the Welfare of Children Undersecretary Mitch Cajayon said the student seen hurting a schoolmate in a video that has gone viral online may be considered a child &quot;in conflict with the law.&quot;</p><p>“Nakikita natin sa mga video, it is already a crime. Bullying siya in a way but since may injury na, tapos ang act na... pinapa-kiss ang ari, it is already a crime,&quot; Cajayon told ABS-CBN News.</p><p>(We can see in the video, it is already a crime. It is bullying in a way but since there was injury and the perpetrator was asking for a sexual act, it is already a crime.)</p><p>The video of the incident, which has gone viral on social media, shows a student challenging his schoolmate to fight after asking him to choose between &quot;bugbog o dignidad&quot; (fight or dignity).</p><p>Cajayon said a case of physical injuries could be filed against the boy if he is aged 15 years and above.</p><p>If the child is below 15, a case for damages against the parents could be filed.</p><p>She said the aggrieved party could file a complaint at the Juvenile Justice Welfare Council, an office under the social welfare department which handles children in conflict with the law.</p><p>“May facilities tayo na kailangan i-rehab ang bata. Ang bata ay nangangailangan ng tulong,&quot; Cajayon said.</p><p>(We have facilities where the child could be rehabilitated. The child needs help.)</p><p>Cajayon said the case should be handled by the proper agencies, not the Philippine National Police, which earlier said it would like to help in the investigation of the incident.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/21/18/pnp-wants-to-help-in-ateneo-bullying-investigation">PNP wants to help in Ateneo bullying investigation</a></li></ul><p>“Nakikiusap kami na dapat ibigay sa tamang ahensya. Di kasi dapat ikonsider ang bata na kriminal kaagad. Kung baga, may pino-proseso tayo,&quot; she said.</p><p>(We hope that [the case] will be referred to the proper agency. The child should not be considered as a criminal right away. There is a process.)</p><p>“Dapat ang social welfare ay may intervention din dito para ma-assess ang bata kung bakit siya nagkaka-ganito... Paulit-ulit na ginagawa kaya kailangan ng isang social welfare.&quot;</p><p>(The social welfare department should intervene in order to assess the child why he&#x27;s behaving like this... He has repeatedly done this that&#x27;s why [the help of a social welfare worker is] needed.)</p><div><strong>-- Report from Jasmin Romero, ABS-CBN News</strong></div>

<p>MANILA - The government's child welfare office said Friday it considers the bullying incident at the Ateneo de Manila University Junior High School as a crime.<br /> </p>

MANILA - The government's child welfare office said Friday it considers the bullying incident at the Ateneo de Manila University Junior High School as a crime.