Taekwondo body condemns Ateneo bullying incident

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Taekwondo Association (PTA) condemned a bullying incident caught in a viral video, where the aggressor is seen using taekwondo to assault another student.

READ: Ateneo high school probes bullying incident

"We, the Philippine Taekwondo Association, condemn any form of misbehavior which includes harassment, bullying, and acts of violence,” PTA said in a statement published Thursday evening. “This is not what Taekwondo instills to its practitioners and is a serious matter that we as an association stand against."

The body said that “modesty” is one of the five tenets that all practitioners are taught “from the first day of training.”

“Our association reiterates its objective to teach all Taekwondo practitioners self-respect and respect for others,” it added.

The video showed a smaller student using a combination of kicks and punches to attack the bigger student in the restroom of Ateneo de Manila Junior High School. The agressor ended up bloodying the nose of the victim.

Ateneo principal Jose Antonio Salvador said on Thursday that they began their investigation into the incident, but considers the video evidence of violence against another student at face value

“The Ateneo Junior High School is dealing with this matter seriously beginning with an immediate investigation that ensued the moment the report reached us,” he said.

Salvador said the attack violates the school's code of conduct and that they would take action against the student involved.

The PTA said they would respect the school's disciplinary and do their own investigation into the practitioner.

According to the association's website, it was established in the mid-70s to "propagate the Korean martial art sport in the country."

The PTA has chapters in 19 regions, including in Metro Manila with over 1 million practitioners.

For its par, Ateneo they are asking the public to stop sharing the videos as the students involved are all minors.

The Department of Education also called on the public to report incidences of bullying.