DepEd vows fair probe into students’ assault on teacher
MANILA, Philippines — A “fair, thorough investigation” is underway on the viral video circulating online of a male teacher being beaten up by students in Maco, Davao de Oro, the Department of Education (DepEd) said yesterday.
The video showed a teacher and a male student arguing before the student attacked the teacher.
The incident reportedly occurred inside the Elizalde National High School gymnasium.
Police said the teacher reprimanded the student for violating a school policy prohibiting them from wearing earrings.
The student reportedly became furious and tried to punch the teacher, but he was stopped by his schoolmates. However, his brother, who is also a student, hit the teacher from behind.
Together, the siblings continued to hit the teacher before other students could stop them.
The teacher suffered injuries and filed a complaint before the police. The students were placed under the custody of the local social welfare office.
“DepEd remains firm in its commitment to protecting the welfare of our educators while guiding our learners with compassion and accountability,” DepEd said.
The Alliance of Concerned Teachers said the incident showed the lack of adequate protection and authority for teachers to enforce discipline in schools.
Bomb threats
Meanwhile, 47 schools in Central Luzon have received bomb threats since May 1.
The Police Regional Office 3 has stepped up its efforts against the recent wave of bomb threat hoaxes, warning that those behind these malicious acts will be identified, arrested and prosecuted.
Central Luzon police director Brig. Gen. Jess Mendez said, “Every one of those reports disrupted classes, caused fear among students, parents and teachers and diverted police resources from genuine emergencies. Enough is enough. Bomb threats are not pranks; they are criminal acts.”
The sustained investigations have already led to the arrest of two 18-year-old suspects – one in Bulacan and another in Nueva Ecija – both of whom are now facing appropriate criminal charges.
Weak leadership
The increase in the incidents of violence in schools is a manifestation of a weak leadership of President Marcos, Vice President Sara Duterte said yesterday.
“That’s what happens when there is no visible leadership, people are doing their own thing. If you see it among government employees today, that’s the same mentality, they are doing their own thing. Because the moral ascendancy of the highest, those at the top, is disappearing,” she said.
She was referring to the surge of online threats in schools following the incident in Tacloban City where three learners were killed after students aged 15 and 14 entered two classrooms and opened fire. – Ramon Efren Lazaro, Ric Sapnu
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