The Department of Education, under the leadership of the Vice President and Secretary of Education Sara Duterte, emphasized zero-tolerance policy for all forms of abuses perpetrated in the schools, especially against learners.
In a statement, DepEd spokesperson lawyer Michael Poa said DepEd is taking all reports about sexual abuse and violence against the learners in schools seriously as the department is determined to ensure that schools all over the country are safe spaces for the learners and free from sexual predators.
“We understand that reporting experiences of sexual abuse and violence are often hampered by fear and feeling of embarrassment, but we urge Kindergarten to Grade 12 victim-survivors to report these incidents directly to the Office of the Secretary,” he said.
Two months ago, Duterte has requested the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to form a special team to look into alleged abuse cases reported at the Philippine High School for the Arts (PHSA) at Mt. Makiling in Los Baños, Laguna.
The DepEd urged those concerned to submit complaints about alleged abuses in schools and against the students.
“Your personal information and the nature of your reports will be treated with utmost confidentiality. Help us help you bring these perpetrators to justice and end sexual abuse and violence in our schools,” Poa said
Meanwhile, the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) supports the government’s pronouncement declaring an all-out war against Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and in fact encourage people who may have information to help the authorities solve these increasing problems globally as it is one step closer in unmasking the suspected sexual predator in different online platforms.