đź“· Education Secretary Sonny Angara
Education Secretary Sonny Angara has ordered the conduct of an investigation following the alleged sexual harassment incident of a public school principal against Grade 10 learners in Quezon City.
“Pinaiimbestigahan na po ni Secretary Sonny Angara ang insidenteng ito sa ating (Secretary Sonny Angara already ordered an investigation to the) Schools Division Office (SDO) of Quezon City,” DepEd Media Relations Chief Dennis Legazpi said in a Viber message on Friday.
On Sept. 29, the involved principal was arrested and detained for the charge of lascivious conduct under Republic Act No. 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.
According to the initial report of SDO QC, the school head allegedly molested four Grade 10 learners.
The DepEd, meanwhile, assured immediate intervention to affected learners alongside scheduled counseling with their parents.
“The School Child Protection Committee was convened and met with the parents and students for intervention and psychological first aid,” QC Schools Division Superintendent Carleen Sedilla said in a separate statement.
The affected learners continue attending classes in the concerned school as it operates under an officer-in-charge.
Meanwhile, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte assured justice for the four students, all victims of sexual assault.
“We will ensure that there will be a thorough investigation in the case, and we are ready to extend legal assistance to the victims to strengthen the case against the accused,” Belmonte said as she denounced the incident.
The Office of the QC Schools Division Superintendent in an official statement issued on Friday said that they received a report on the morning of Sept. 29, 2024 that Bonifacio D. Caculitan Jr., School Principal of Pugad Lawin High School in Project 8, was arrested and detained at Station 15 in Barangay Project 6, “for Lascivious Conduct under Section 5(b) of RA No. 7610 as amended by RA No 11648”.
QC Schools Division Superintendent Carleen Sedilla said the complainants are four Grade 10 students.
She added that the schools’ Child Protection Committee was convened and met with the parents and students for intervention and psychological first aid.
The case was also reported to the City Social Welfare Office. The students are now undergoing psychological intervention. (PNA)
