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ILOILO CITY — A 57-year-old male teacher is in hot water after he allegedly took a video of a 31-year-old female teacher inside a makeshift restroom during a provincial scout jamboree at Camp Hinilawod in Calinog town, Iloilo on Nov. 25.
The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) in Iloilo are conducting separate investigations on the incident.
Article continues after this advertisementBased on the initial investigation of the police, the suspect peeped into the makeshift restroom and took a video of his female colleague who was inside the facility at around 8:30 a.m.
FEATURED STORIES NEWSINFO PMA: 764 female military officers owe careers to Rasul NEWSINFO ‘2022 presidency was mine already’ – VP Duterte NEWSINFO Bonifacio Day protest: 1 cop hurt, 1 activist arrested in MendiolaThe female teacher noticed the cellphone and took it, and saw the male teacher holding it.
She immediately reported the matter to school authorities and had the suspect arrested.
Article continues after this advertisementThe male teacher was charged by the police for violating Republic Act 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act.
Article continues after this advertisementHe was, however, subsequently released from detention and secured temporary liberty after he posted bail in court.
Article continues after this advertisementThe police declined to reveal the exact date of his release, claiming that the court has taken over the case.
Section 12 of RA 11313 states that unauthorized recording of victims is considered as “gender-based online sexual harassment.”
Article continues after this advertisementPersons found guilty may face a prison term from 6 months and 1 day to 6 years, or a fine between P100,000 and P500,000 or both, at the court’s discretion.
The DepEd-Schools Division Office (SDO) of Iloilo, in a statement, expressed deep concern over the incident.
It said it had already been executing legal procedures and providing psychosocial support to those involved.
“We are not undermining the said incident, and we do not tolerate misbehaviors that could harm any of our employees,” the SDO said.
“DepEd prioritizes the safety and well-being of learners and participants in all activities under its purview, and such behavior, if proven, is unequivocally condemned,” it emphasized.
“In light of this incident, the SDO Legal Unit is now executing legal procedures to ensure that the welfare of the female scouter is properly attended to,” it added.
Board Member Matt Palabrica of Iloilo’s third district, who is the chairperson of BSP Iloilo Council, expressed dismay over the incident.
He said the council’s legal committee is investigating the matter.
The final results will be forwarded to the BSP National Council which will then decide on the appropriate legal action.
“This is unacceptable, especially since it happened during a BSP Council event,” said Palabrica in an interview over Aksyon Radyo Iloilo on Nov. 27.
He said they are now planning to separate male and female comfort rooms during scout provincial jamborees, instead of the current common setup.
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With reports from Allaine Kate Ledalucky sprite, Inquirer Visayas
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