Professor nabbed for 'molesting' student

The Manila Police District (MPD) picked up for questioning yesterday a college professor who allegedly sexually molested a male student inside one of the rooms of Sta. Isabel College on Taft Avenue in Ermita, Manila.

John Christian Espinola, 25, a Social Studies professor and adviser of the school’s Media Watch Club, was arrested after a 15-year-old fourth year high school student filed charges of child abuse and acts of lasciviousness against him.

According to the victim, he and his friends were entertaining a school guest at around 9 p.m. Friday as part of their club’s activities when he was seen by Espinola scratching his groin due to a skin disease.

The boy said Espinola convinced him to go into a room and have his skin infection treated. Espinola, after treating the boy, proceeded to molest him, according to the police report.

The boy said he went home feeling depressed and guilty and was not able to sleep that night. The following day, his aunt questioned his strange behavior, prompting him to reveal his ordeal. The boy said his aunt prevailed upon him to file a complaint.

The victim, a scholar of a private foundation, told The STAR he initially hesitated to file a complaint for fear of losing his scholarship grant.

Espinola, who is now detained at the MPD jail, refused to talk to reporters.

MPD-General Assignment Section chief Superintendent Vicente Tan said he will coordinate with school officials tomorrow.