Female public teacher indicted for child abuse

CEBU, Philippines - A female public school teacher in Barangay Pulangbato, Cebu City was indicted for child abuse for allegedly hitting her pupil for getting low score during examination.

State prosecutor Ruso Zaragosa has charged Cristeta Cogtas, 50, before the Regional Trial Court for violation of Republic Act 7610.

“On the basis of the sworn statement and other evidence submitted before me, there is a reasonable ground to believe that an offense for Violation of RA 7610, has been committed and that the accused herein is probably guilty thereof,” Zaragosa’s resolution reads.

Zaragosa recommended P20,000 bail for Cogtas’ temporary liberty.

The case stemmed from a complaint filed by a grade III pupil of Pulangbato Elementary School. The 10-year-old complainant was assisted by her guardian Carmelita Lunay.

The complainant said that the accused hit her head with a book on June 19, 2012 in the afternoon for getting a low score during examination. According to the victim, her right eye and arm were also hit by the teacher.

“We were having an examination in English. I got low score. Mrs. Cristeta Cogtas got mad at me. Cogtas then struck my head with a book hitting my right eye and right arm,” the victim’s affidavit reads.

On top of this incident, the victim recalled that there were several other incidents in the past that the accused abused her physically.

Zaragosa found enough evidence to hold the accused for trial based on the affidavit submitted by the complainant. The accused asked to reconsider the findings of probable cause but was denied on October 1, 2012 for lack of merit.— (FREEMAN)