CHR probing armed suspect’s sexual assault of 4 teachers in CamSur

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has started an independent investigation into a reported assault on four elementary school teachers in Ocampo, Camarines Sur last week.

According to police, an armed suspect entered the school on August 8, declared a hold-up, and took the teachers' cellphones and cash.

The suspect then sexually assaulted the victims in an isolated area of the campus.

“As Gender Ombud, the CHR office in Region V is conducting motu proprio probe to aid in ensuring justice for the teachers. An initial investigation was conducted 10 August 2022,” CHR spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia said in a statement.

“It is reprehensible that our valuable and committed teachers suffered such a brazen act of abuse. It is also utterly alarming that this gender-based violence happened on school grounds, which are supposed to be safe havens for learners and teachers,” she added.

De Guia also called on the Philippine National Police (PNP) as well as all concerned local agencies to ensure immediate accountability of the attacker.

“This kind of traumatic abuse and crime within schools must be aggressively resolved for the redress of victims and to deter future similar incidents,” she said.

Meanwhile, De Guia said the CHR recognized the immediate action taken by the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) in signing a Joint Memorandum Circular that allows the use of the Special Education Fund to hire at least one security worker for each school.

The use of schools as isolation facilities, quarantine facilities, and long-term evacuation centers would now be prohibited under the joint circular.

“Addressing and preventing security concerns in schools deserve utmost priority considering that most school personnel are women and given the vulnerability of young learners,” De Guia said.

“In line with our mandate, CHR is willing and ready to work with DepEd and other concerned agencies in strengthening measures for the protection and welfare of teachers and children in schools,” she added. — BM, GMA News