DepEd asks victims of alleged sexual harassment in Cavite school to file affidavit

The Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday appealed to other victims of the alleged sexual harassment reported in Bacoor National High School to file their sworn statements.

In a press conference, DepEd spokesperson Atty. Michael Poa said the report by the fact-finding team on the alleged abuse is set to be submitted to DepEd’s regional office on Friday.

“From then on, we will determine ngayon kung ano na ‘yung next steps sa administrative proceedings against the teachers,” he said, noting that seven educators are now supposedly involved, up from the six initially mentioned.

Poa, however, noted that only a few complainants have shown up to formally raise their concerns on the matter.

“Although nagtutuloy ‘yung imbestigasyon natin, ang problema is walang masyadong complainants ang nagfi-file ng kanilang mga affidavits. Sana tulungan niyo rin kami na hikayatin ‘yung mga alleged victims na lumabas po at mag-file ng kanilang affidavits para mapalakas lalo ‘yung kaso kung meron man,” he said.

(Although our investigation continues, the problem is that not many complainants are filing their affidavits. I hope the alleged victims will be encouraged to come forward and file their affidavits to strengthen the case, if ever there is one.)

A former student at Bacoor National High School earlier said that one of the accused teachers made advances to him and sent him inappropriate private messages when he was in Grade 9.

The student said he was traumatized due to this.

Poa said Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte already had a meeting with the DepEd’s Child Protection Unit to address the reported sexual harassment in schools.

“There were major directions being given to the Child Protection Unit to strengthen their presence, strengthen their programs on the school level... para talaga matulungan ang ating mga bata, mga learners [to help the children and learners] that are experiencing abuse,” he said.

If proven guilty, Poa said that the teachers involved will face dismissal as a severe punishment.

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday filed Senate Resolution 168, seeking an investigation into the reports of sexual harassment allegedly done by teachers in several schools in the country. —KBK, GMA News