Ateneo De Davao to Duterte: Put sexual abuse allegation in writing

The Ateneo de Davao University has asked Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to formalize his allegations of sexual abuse by a priest during his school days at the institution, to pave the way to a proper investigation.

"Allegations about sexual abuse in the past involving a Jesuit priest would need to be made in writing to the Provincial Superior of the Society of Jesus for proper investigation and appropriate response according to the protocols of the Society of Jesus for these cases," said Bong Eliab, an Ateneo official.

He offered sympathies and said that there was no room for the abuse of minors in religious schools.

"There is never room for abuse of minors in a Catholic and Jesuit school. We would be mortified if Mayor Duterte were harmed at any point during his enrollment in our school," Eliab said.

The official said the mayor was in the institution's prayers.

The same call for the filing of a formal complaint was made by Archbishop Emeritus Oscar Cruz.

"I think he should not just let go of this like that. Kung talagang reformer siya, he should follow through. Hindi 'yung sasabihing, 'Wag na, kawawa naman sila.' Oh, come on, walang ganiyanan," Cruz said.

AdDU initially withheld comment on Duterte's claims because officials did not know the full history of his stay at university's high school department.

Duterte did not graduate from the school but claimed that he and his classmates were sexually abused by a priest.

The mayor recently courted controversy after cursing Pope Francis during his speech at the PDP-Laban's endorsement of his candidacy.

His speech earned criticisms from Cruz and CBCP head Archbishop Socrates Villegas, among others.

The reactios from the members of the clergy triggered Duterte's revelation of sexual abuse in the hands of a priest.—Rie Takumi/NB, GMA News