Deped, NBI probe alleged abuse on learners at Los Baños school

THE Department of Education (Deped) on Tuesday said the department is have coordinating with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to investigate the alleged harassment and abuse at the Philippine High School for the Arts (PHSA) in Los Baños, Laguna.

The Deped affirmed it is committed to protect the welfare of all learners following the reports of emotional, verbal, and sexual abuse allegations in PHSA.

In a letter to the NBI dated July 11, 2022, Vice President and Secretary of Education Sara Z. Duterte requested the investigation agency to provide a comprehensive report on the issue as soon as possible.

Likewise, Deped has also tapped its Child Protection Unit (CPU) and Child Rights in Education Desk (CREDE) to conduct a similar investigation in relation with the agency’s Child Protection Policy. PHSA has also informed the Deped that they are examining the current and prior information on the matter.

“Concerns and complaints concerning such abuses in PHSA are encouraged to be submitted to the school’s Committee on Decorum and Investigation for proper and further actions,” the Deped said.

Likewise, Deped and the PHSA administration are currently reviewing the school’s existing policies and strengthening its internal mechanisms to ensure the safety of the students inside the premises of the institution.

“The Department would like to reiterate that the agency does not tolerate abuses in any form. Under the strong leadership of Secretary Sara Duterte, Deped will continuously promote a healthy and safe environment for our learners and teachers,” the Deped assured.

The NBI, for its part, said a special team will conduct an investigation into the alleged abuses at PHSA.

NBI Officer in Charge Medardo de Lemos said the probe was in line with the request of Vice President and Education Secretary Duterte for the agency to come up with a comprehensive report on the allegations of emotional, verbal, and sexual abuse by PHSA teachers and staff against some of its students.

“The request was sent yesterday [Tuesday] and we forwarded it to the bureau’s deputy investigation with instruction to form a special team and act with dispatch,” de Lemos said.

The special team was given seven days to submit its report, according to de Lemos.