THE Philippine Taekwondo Association (PTA) meted an indefinite ban on the Ateneo de Manila junior high-school student and taekwondo jin Joaquin Montes whose video while bullying a classmate inside the campus toilet went viral.
PTA President Robert Aventajado said the federation has banned Montes from any event and that he should “undergo rehabilitation with organizations equipped to handle his counseling.”
“The ad hoc committee recommends a sanction of an indefinite ban of the student involved from all sanctioned events not limited to Taekwondo-related events, belt promotions, tournaments or facilities of member institutions,” the PTA statement said.
“The aim for this is to allow the individual to own responsibility for his actions, show remorse and contribute positively to the community,” it added.
The PTA warned that if the parents will not abide by the decision, the federation will have “no choice but to expel the practitioner from the association.”
Aventajado said that necessary actions are important to straighten up the character of the young jin.
“Supervised counseling and rehabilitation are conditions for reinstatement,” Aventajado said.
An inquiry by the school showed the jin has been involved in similar incidents in the past but went scot free.
“The PTA stands committed in propagating the sport as a way to teach generations on being virtuous, well-mannered individuals who will serve our society with dignity and honor,” he said.
“The PTA is reinforcing its teaching guidelines on its principles to ensure it remains relevant in children’s day-to-day activities, as well as in modern media. We are encouraging everyone to be mindful of their comments particularly on social media, bearing in mind that the subjects are minors,” he said.
“We believe that the best way to move forward from this incident is to provide the child with the necessary guidance and mentorship, and an opportunity to exhibit remorse and provide restitution to the community in general.”
In the video, Montes taunted a fellow student inside a comfort room and assaulted the hapless kid that bloodied his nose. It was obvious that the assailant used taekwondo techniques to hurt his taller schoolmate.
Ateneo junior high-school officials have already dismissed the student, saying his actions violated long-standing school policies.