DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 12 November 2026) — The Ateneo de Davao University Junior High School administration has dismissed “effective immediately” the student who was videotaped beating up, verbally assaulting, and prodding others to hurt another minor student inside a comfort room, the university said in a statement.
“Violence and bullying have no place at Ateneo de Davao University. Those responsible for harming others will be held accountable, with due process,” ADDU stressed.
But the investigation into the incident, ADDU said, continues.
The statement comes after viral videos revealed earlier this week an incident involving at least three individuals, all male minors, at the prestigious university at their campus in Matina.
The incident purportedly happened as the rest of the community was busy with a scheduled earthquake drill.
Posting at its official Facebook page, the ADDU JHS said it had completed deliberations concerning the minor and decided to dismiss the student immediately.
“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 statement said.
The school said it remained concerned about the student and his family.
“We recognize their pain and distress, and we will continue to accompany them with care and support,” ADDU said.
“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,” the post said.
Fr. Karel San Juan, ADDU president, said in a memorandum released to the community that he has constituted the University Task Force on Bullying Prevention and Safe Learning Environments.
The body is tasked to review “how bullying concerns, past and present, have been reported, addressed, and followed through.”
San Juan’s memo asked the community to bring up gaps and suggest concrete improvements.
“Taking a learner-centered approach, the Task Force will listen to students, parents, faculty, and staff to identify gaps in our safeguards and recommend concrete improvements,” the ADDU statement said.
It assured “confidentiality, sensitivity, and respect for those who come forward.”
“The Task Force will review our policies, reporting channels, response procedures, and support services. It will recommend ways to make reporting safer and more accessible, strengthen protection against retaliation, and ensure timely action and sustained support for affected learners,” the school said.
“It will also identify training needs so that faculty and staff are better prepared to recognize signs of bullying and respond promptly and sensitively,” it added.
The school guaranteed there would be no more repeat of the incident.
Earlier today, the Department of Education said it was waiting for the decision of the private school.
DepEd spokesperson Jenielito Atillo told GMA News in an interview that while the agency had a mandate for primary and secondary learners, private schools had an autonomy that allowed them to decide on these cases internally. (Yas D. Ocampo / MindaNews)
