THE COMMISSION on Human Rights has started an independent investigation into the alleged sexual abuse of four elementary teachers in Ocampo, Camarines Sur last week.

According to police, an armed suspect entered the school on August 8 and declared a hold-up and took the cellphones and cash of the teachers.

The suspect then molested the victims in an isolated area of the campus.

“The CHR office in Region V is conducting motu propio probe to aid in ensuring justice for the teachers. An initial investigation was conducted 10 August 2022,” CHR spokesperson Atty. Jacqueline Ann de Guia said in a statement.

“It is reprehensible that our valuable and committed teachers suffered such a brazen act of abuse. It is also utterly alarming that this gender-based violence happened on school grounds, which are supposed to be safe havens for learners and teachers,” she added.

De Guia also called on the Philippine National Police and all concerned local agencies to ensure the accountability of the attacker.

“This kind of traumatic abuse and crime within schools must be aggressively resolved for the redress of victims and to deter future similar incidents,” she said.

Meanwhile, De Guia said the CHR recognized the immediate action taken by the Department of Education, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Department of Budget and Management in signing a Joint Memorandum Circular that allows the use of the Special Education Fund to hire at least one security personnel for each school.

The use of schools as isolation facilities, quarantine facilities, and long-term evacuation centers would now be prohibited under the joint circular.

“Addressing and preventing security concerns in schools deserve utmost priority considering that most school personnel are women and given the vulnerability of young learners,” De Guia said.

“In line with our mandate, CHR is willing and ready to work with DepEd and other concerned agencies in strengthening measures for the protection and welfare of teachers and children in schools,” she said.