Teacher nabbed for forcing student to eat cockroach

A teacher in Manila was arrested for alleged child abuse after he forced a student to eat a cockroach after the latter reportedly caught him in the act of molesting another student inside a school restroom in October.

The incident, which remains under investigation, led to the filing of a child abuse case against the teacher, according to a report on Unang Balita by Jhomer Apresto.

Police officers served the warrant of arrest against the 52-year-old teacher, whose identity was withheld, inside the school where he teaches in Tondo, Manila.

Police said the alleged incident happened on October 25, 2025, within the school premises.

"Base sa nakalap nating report, nandoon na rin sa account ng ating biktima, itong nasabing guro ay nahuli niya na habang minomolestya rin ang isang estudyanteng babae sa loob ng isang CR doon sa eskwelahan," said Manila Police District spokesperson Police Major Philipp Ines.

(Based on the reports we gathered and the victim's account, the teacher was allegedly caught by the student while molesting a female student inside a school restroom.)

"Kung saan nga, noong nakita siya ng estudyante na ito, ay tinakot siya nitong guro pinagbantaang papatayin pag nagsumbong. According din sa kaniya, pinakain din ng ipis," he added.

When the student saw this, the teacher allegedly threatened to kill him if he reported the incident. According to the student, the teacher also forced him to eat a cockroach.)

Police said the female minor allegedly involved in the molestation incident did not file a complaint.

However, in November, the male student who was allegedly forced to eat a cockroach filed a complaint, which led authorities to pursue the child abuse case against the teacher.

Bail posted, probe continues

The accused teacher has since posted bail of P120,000, according to GMA Integrated News, which is still seeking the suspect's statement.

Authorities said they are also examining whether there was negligence or on the part of school officials, given that the alleged incidents happened within the school premises.

GMA News Online has also reached out to DepEd officials for comment and will update this story once they respond.—Sherilyn Untalan/MCG, GMA Integrated News