Professor drugs, molests student

MANILA, Philippines - A university professor allegedly drugged and molested his student after he pressured her to have a drink with him.

Rogelio Plaza, 30, who teaches at the University of Manila, underwent inquest proceedings yesterday for acts of lasciviousness, according to Superintendent Audie Madrideo, commander of the Quezon City Police District Station 2.

The complainant is a 23-year-old computer science major, who was unconscious when Plaza allegedly groped her Wednesday night. According to Madrideo, the professor, who is married, claimed the student was his girlfriend.

The student was absent from Plaza’s class on Feb. 17. Plaza told her to submit by March 2 her explanation for her absence on 20 sheets of yellow pad paper, back to back.

But as the deadline neared, the student allegedly received text messages from Plaza, who was inviting her to go out and drink. The student refused and told Plaza she would be busy writing the paperwork she had been assigned to do.

Madrideo said the professor allegedly pestered the student with his text messages and purportedly told the student he was willing to set aside the assigned paper work if she agreed to go out with him.

The student gave in, but said they would drink at her apartment in Barangay Damayan in Quezon City and her female housemate would be there to drink with them.

After school on March 2, Plaza allegedly went to the student’s apartment at past 9 p.m. The student’s roommate was stuck in traffic on her way home from work, but Plaza insisted they start drinking.

Madrideo said the victim could have been drugged since she quickly felt dizzy after a few drinks. As the student was unconscious, the professor allegedly started groping the complainant.

The victim’s housemate arrived home but was surprised that the apartment was locked from the inside. Madrideo said the professor opened the door after a while and the housemate was surprised to find the student on the bed unconscious. She sought the help of village officials to detain Plaza.

The victim was brought to the Quezon City General Hospital and only woke up Thursday morning. It was only then she revealed what had happened to her.