A 59-year-old public high school principal in Quezon City was arrested for allegedly molesting four male students, police reported. The incident occurred on Saturday, September 28, involving three 15-year-old students and one 17-year-old student, all from Grade 10.
According to Police Lt. Col. Macario Loteyro, Station Commander of QCPD Station 15, the principal summoned the students under the pretense of asking them to perform tasks such as cooking and cleaning. “The first victim, the 17-year-old, was subjected to lewd acts, followed by the three others,” Loteyro stated.
The suspect was apprehended in a follow-up operation at his residence in Cainta, Rizal, after one of the victims managed to escape and reported the incident to his parents. The principal has been charged with Lascivious Conduct in relation to The Special Protection of Children against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.
The Department of Education (DepEd) has been notified of the incident. Dennis Legaspi, DepEd’s Media Relations Chief, said they are awaiting the incident report from the Quezon City Schools Division Office before proceeding with their investigation.
Police are currently investigating whether there are additional victims and have urged others who may have experienced similar abuse to come forward and report to QCPD Station 15.