Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 29) — A youth group has urged the Department of Education (DepEd) to disclose the results of its probe into the multiple cases of sexual abuse reported last year at Bacoor National High School (BHNS) in Cavite.
“Students and parents alike demand concrete actions to address our grievances,” said Sophia Reyes, lead convenor of Enough is Enough (EIE) Philippines.
“DepEd’s silence on this matter proves their incompetence in keeping schools a safe space and protecting learners,” Reyes added.
EIE is composed of sexual abuse victim-survivors from various schools in the country.
DepEd confirmed on Aug. 29 last year that they were investigating BHNS over alleged sexual advances made by some of its teachers on high school students.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros also filed a resolution calling for an inquiry into the alleged incidents of harassment and abuse involving teachers in BNHS and two other schools in the country.
A month later, DepEd said it filed administrative charges against five out of the seven accused teachers for grave misconduct, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, and violation of the agency’s child protection policy.
The five teachers were also placed under 90-day preventive suspension during that time.
The group, meanwhile, claimed there were 11 teachers in BNHS preying on students. They also lamented how DepEd seems to have ceased its probe after filing administrative charges against some teachers.
“It seems that filing those administrative cases was only a knee-jerk reaction,” said Andrew, one of the victim-survivors from BNHS.
“Without any transparency on the results or progress of their investigation, the DepEd was only waiting for the issue to die down,” he also said.
CNN Philippines has reached out to DepEd for comment.
