A TEACHER from a public school in Davao City is facing charges for alleged molestation of four elementary students in Bangkas Heights in Toril District.
Department of Education-Davao Region (DepEd-Davao) Spokesperson Jenielito Atillo confirmed to SunStar Davao that four parents of Grade 4 students, all girls, filed a complaint against a teacher of Bangkas Heights Elementary School, whom he declined to name.
"Naay nagreklamo na ginikanan, allegedly gimolest daw ilang anak citing one teacher sa Bangkas Heights Elementary School, unya pagkahuman nagtagpo sila sa barangay (The parents complained a teacher at Bangkas Heights Elementary School who allegedly molested their children. The two parties met at the barangay)," Atillo told SunStar Davao in a phone interview.
One of the parents of the students revealed in a radio interview that the teacher allegedly called the daughter and asked her to turn around in front of him. He then dragged her away.
The interview also revealed that all four students were molested inside the locker room of the school.
Davao City Police Office (DCPO) Spokesperson Major Maria Teresita Gaspan told SunStar Davao that the charges were already filed last May 19, 2022, and the teacher is currently under police custody.
Gaspan said the teacher was charged in violation of Republic Act 7610 or the Anti-Child Abuse Law.
She declined to provide further details as investigation is still ongoing.
Atillo, meanwhile, said DepEd already formed its fact-finding team to investigate the issue.
"We are still waiting for the result of that, just to make sure that due process can be given to all concerned. We are protecting the rights of the children, but we also ensure that the accused is given fair share of protection," he said.
As to the status of the teacher, the DepEd official declined to comment as it is "premature" considering that the investigation is still ongoing.
"We are not yet condemning anybody here as we are waiting for whatever will be found from the investigation of DepEd-Davao City," he said.
Atillo assured parents that DepEd has a "Child Protection Policy" for the students, which covers all forms of abuses, as stipulated under DepEd Order 40 series of 2012.
Meanwhile, he encouraged students who have complaints against their teachers to report it to their respective guidance councilors or principal for appropriate action.