PNP-CIDG to file raps vs teachers over ‘missing’ students

PNP Headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City. (Photo from the PNP Facebook page)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) said on Wednesday it will file charges for child abuse against the teachers whose students were allegedly recruited by leftist organizations.

PNP-CIDG Director Major General Amador Corpus said that under the law,  teachers are liable for child abuse if they fail to inform the parents or guardians that their child is no longer going to school for at least five days.

“We will be filing cases against the teachers for child abuse in relation to PD [Presidential Decree] 603 that is the Child and Youth Welfare [Code],” Corpus said during the hearing of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs.

“It says there na after five days na hindi pumapasok yung bata, the parents or the guardians will be informed. Failure on the part of the teachers to do that, they will be liable for child abuse in relation to PD 603,” he added.

Corpus said the PNP-CIDG will coordinate with the parents of the reported missing students to identify the teachers.

“Our investigators will be coordinating for the complainants for the identification of the teachers and once we have the pieces of evidence and appropriate cases will be filed before the DOJ [Department of Justice],” he said.

The PNP-CIDG earlier revealed it has lodged kidnapping charges and other complaints against the top officials of Anakbayan over “missing” senior high school students they allegedly recruited. /jpv

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