Teacher nabbed for ‘harassing’ athlete in Palaro

A Cebu City public school teacher was arrested last Tuesday night after he allegedly molested a 14-year-old student-athlete from Olongapo City in the Palarong Pambansa in Ilocos Sur.

Personnel of Caoayan Municipal Police Station arrested a Special Education (SPED) teacher from Zapatera Integrated School. According to Senior Insp. Frederico Artates, Caoayan police chief, the teacher was accused yesterday of acts of lasciviousness in relation to Republic Act 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination) before the prosecutor’s office.

The 28-year-old suspect sought the Public Attorney’s Office’s help.

Dr. Juliet Jeruta, Department of Education (DepEd) 7 director, said the suspect is not part of the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (Cviraa) delegation. She said they cannot help the teacher, who has been in service for a year.

An investigation showed the complainant, a ninth grader and dancesport athlete, went inside the male comfort room with a 15-year-old companion. The suspect later approached the 14-year-old boy and hugged him. The suspect allegedly attempted to kiss the boy in the neck and body and asked how much he would charge for sex.

Artates said the boy was identified through footage captured by a closed-circuit television camera.