DepEd chief VP Duterte asks NBI to probe alleged abuses at PHSA

Vice President Sara Duterte. SCREENSHOT FROM SARA DUTERTE’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte has asked the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to probe the alleged sexual, verbal, and emotional abuse at the Philippine High School for the Arts (PHSA).

The Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday said the NBI has received a letter from Duterte, requesting it to provide a comprehensive report on the issue.

“Committed to protecting the welfare of all learners, the DepEd has sought the immediate assistance of the NBI to investigate the reports of emotional, verbal, and sexual abuse allegations in the PHSA in Los Baños, Laguna,” DepEd said in a statement.

“In a letter duly received by the NBI on July 11, 2022, Vice President and Secretary of Education Sara Z. Duterte has requested the investigation body to provide a comprehensive report on the issue as soon as possible,” it added.

DepEd said it has also tapped its Child Protection Unit (CPU) and the Child Rights Education Desk to conduct a similar investigation in relation with its child protection policy.

For its part, the PHSA has informed the education department that they are examining the current and prior information on the issue, the DepEd said.

“Concerns and complaints concerning such abuses in PHSA are encouraged to be submitted to the school’s Committee on Decorum and Investigation for proper and further actions,” DepEd said.

DepEd said it and the PHSA administration are currently reviewing the school’s existing policies and “strengthening its mechanisms to ensure the safety of the students inside the premises of the institution.”

“The Department would like to reiterate that the agency does not tolerate abuses in any form. Under the strong leadership of Secretary Sara Duterte, DepEd will continuously promote a healthy and safe environment for our learners and teachers,” DepEd said.

From DepEd Facebook page

In an in-depth report of Vice World News on June 28, PHSA alumni spoke about being abused either by teachers, personnel or a fellow student at the state-run public high school for gifted young artists located at Mt. Makiling, Laguna.

Reacting to the article, the PHSA management said that like other institutions, it was not perfect.

“But please be assured all our school personnel are working hand-in-hand toward providing our students a safe learning environment, whether online or in Makiling,” it said, adding that it was working on the improvement of their safety and well-being.

JPV