DepEd to probe 2 teachers involved in ‘sexual harassment’

THE Department of Education (DepEd) has mounted its own investigations after several reports of alleged sexual harassment and molestation of male minors involving two male public school teachers.

Dr. Manuel Albaño, acting Leyte schools division superintendent, said the division office is now prompting investigations based on the report provided to them by the municipal social welfare office of Babatngon town in Leyte that two public school teachers were involved in sexual molestation of nine minors on different occasions.

“The office has also received reports about sexual harassment and molestation in some barangays of Babatngon and we are very much concerned about this development,” Albaño said.

He added two male teachers, from an elementary school and another one in high school, will be investigated.

Leyte Samar Daily Express has opted to withhold the names of the teachers pending investigations of DepEd and local authorities in Babatngon.

Among the cases is the alleged involvement of nine to 13-year-old pupils allegedly molested by nine gay men, including the two teachers, sometime in January, this year in Barangay Gov. E. Jaro in Babatngon.

He assured the division office will not suppress reports of the matter and will take a serious view and if found guilty, appropriate actions will be had against the teachers.

The other day, parents of the 11 elementary pupils went to the Babatngon municipal social welfare office to file a complaint against nine gay men for allegedly molesting their children.

At least one pupil told the social welfare investigator that one of the gay men placed his hands down the front of his pants, lifted his shirt, rubbed, kissed and sucked his sex organ.

One pupil said the abuse happened behind the barangay day care center in Barangay Gov. E. Jaro. Several other pupils said they were sexually molested behind the barangay stage.

According to Marlie Ochea, Babatngon social welfare and development officer, the children said they were paid P60 in exchange of sexual favors.

Ochea added the children will undergo counseling, while the parents have expressed interest in filing formal complaints against the alleged perpetrators. Possible charges for violation of Republic Act 7610 or Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act will be filed against them. (Leyte Samar Daily Express)