Ex-teacher charged for “sexually harassing” 12-year-old student

CEBU, Philippines - A former teacher of Guadalupe Elementary School is facing charges before the court for allegedly sexually harassing his 12-year-old student.

 Prosecutor I Jill Ann Paculba-Gealon held Carlito Quijano, a former Home Economics and Livelihood Education (HELE) teacher, for trial for violation of Section 3 (B) of Republic Act 7877 otherwise known as Anti-Sexual Harassment Act.

 “Quijano’s act of touching (student’s) thigh was sufficient to constitute sexual harassment. The circumstances as narrated by the complainant squarely fall in paragraph Section 3(b) of RA 7877,” the resolution read, adding the student allegedly felt afraid when her teacher touched her.

 Gealon recommended P60,000 bail for Quijano’s temporary liberty while the case is being heard in court.

 The Freeman is withholding the name of the student due to the sensitivity of the case.

 In her sworn statement, the 12-year-old student alleged that on March 9, at about 12 noon, Quijano summoned her and her classmates to go to the HELE classroom to talk about their failure to submit their lettering project and to agree what they were supposed to do as substitute.

 In the course of their conversation, she was allegedly asked to submit either a rope or for her to show her thigh.  She reportedly answered rope, but her teacher said “let me see your thigh” then held and raised her skirt.

 The complainant pushed away the teacher’s hand and moved away. After which, she said the teacher continued to have a conversation with her other classmates as if nothing happened.

 Later, the accused allegedly asked her “where is that leg you’re going to submit?” at the same time holding her skirt and brushed his hand on her knee.

 Quijano allegedly repeated the act for the third time, by approaching her and asking her “Where was it” Where’s your thigh?” while simultaneously pulling her skirt upward and touching her thigh.

 The complainant said she felt violated and reported the incident to her family. Her mother and her aunt later went to the school and spoke with her adviser.

 In the guidance counselor’s office, a confrontation ensued between the 12-year-old and her family and Quijano.

 During the confrontation, she said the teacher reversed the story and claimed that it was her who volunteered to show her thigh to the latter.

 Gealon summoned the accused to file his counter-affidavit to answer the allegations filed against him but failed.

 Hence, she resolved the complaint based on the evidence of the complainant and found sufficient ground to hold Quijano for trial. — (FREEMAN)