PTA bans Ateneo bully from competing after viral bullying incident

FILE: Two Junior High students of Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) were caught fighting inside a restroom in the campus. (Screengrab from a video uploaded by RE Rogue/Facebook)

After thorough investigation, the Philippine Taekwondo Association (PTA) has decided to take action against the ‘Ateneo bully’ who recently became viral for provoking his peers in his educational institution. PTA released an official statement indefinitely banning the competitive jin from their program until he goes through rehabilitation.

According to the PTA, their ban includes taekwondo events, belt promotions, tournaments, and facilities of member institutions “effective immediately,” saying, “The PTA on its part will endeavor to lend support through its Taekwondo education and training programs. The aim for this is to allow the individual to own responsibility for his actions to show remorse and contribute positively to the community.” They further elaborated that he will be permanently expelled from the PTA if he refuses the rehabilitation program, adding, “Supervised counseling and rehabilitation are conditions for reinstatement. The PTA will conduct another evaluation on the student’s compliance post the rehabilitation program prior to reinstatement and even then, will put the practitioner on probationary status for a minimum of 12 months.”

In an interview with the Philippine Star, PTA President Robert Aventajado explained, “It’s all about giving this young taekwondo practitioner a second chance. But he must show remorse.” Vice President Danilo J. Mojica adds, “Modesty is one of the five tenets of Taekwondo that is being taught to all Taekwondo practitioners from the first day of training. Our association reiterates its objective to teach all Taekwondo practitioners self-respect and respect for others.”

The situation refers to a video of the Ateneo high school student that circulated last Thursday, using his knowledge in taekwondo to elaborately hurt his schoolmate and leave them bloodied.

Most recently, Ateneo de Manila President Fr. Jett Villarin also released a statement expelling Montes from the educational institution. However, both the PTA and Ateneo are requesting the public to refrain from furthering the situation, the PTA including in their statement, “We are encouraging everyone to be mindful of their comments particularly on social media, bearing in mind that the subjects are minors.”