In Tanjay City, Teacher arrested in "rape" of student

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines – Authorities have arrested a public high school teacher in Tanjay City from his home early Wednesday morning for allegedly raping his 15-year-old 3rd year high school student.

The police identified the suspect as Dante Gabas, an agriculture teacher of Lourdes Ledesma del Prado Memorial National High School. He is now detained at the Tanjay city Police Station after undergoing summary inquest proceedings.

Officials of the City Prosecutor's Office said Gabas, with his lawyer, waived his right to question his incarceration prior to the scheduled filing and hearing of the case on Friday. The suspect could be charged with Republic Act 8353, or the Anti-Rape Law of 1997, which has a penalty of life imprisonment, according to authorities.

According to the affidavit filed by the victim’s boyfriend, who is also a student of the same school, the teacher, on the afternoon of November 1, asked him to help in the preparation for the All Saints’ Day observance.

He alleged that Gabas then told him to text his girlfriend to come over. At around 4:45 pm, he and his girlfriend were brought by their teacher to a grassy portion near the latter's house. It was there that they were allegedly asked to have sexual intercourse, the boy alleged.

The boy quoted the teacher as allegedly telling them: “Kung mumabdos ka (the girl) ako ray mokugos sa bunyag ug moluhod sa kasal ug ako ray magpa-eskwela nimo."

For fear of their teacher, the two students said they tried to do what they were asked to do. The boy however said he could not what was against his will, and so refused to comply.

The boy alleged further that Gabas, upon seeing them unable to have sex proceeded with the act himself. This shocked him, prompting him to run away and call for help, alleged the boy.

The affidavit further stated that when the girl returned to her house, her grandmother related that she was unusually quiet. Minutes later, the boy and his grandmother arrived, and narrated what happened to the girl. They then proceeded to the barangay captain before going to the police at around 8 p.m..

The suspect has yet to issue an statement about the allegations. - THE FREEMAN