THE DEPARTMENT of Education on Friday condemned the sexual abuse of four elementary school teachers in Ocampo town in the province of Camarines Sur.

“We denounce any acts of violence and injustice towards our teachers, who have been showing their dedication and effort to deliver equitable, resilient, inclusive and quality education to our learners,” DepEd said in a statement.

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

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

Following the incident, DepEd said that it “instructed the field office concerned to coordinate with the authorities” to assist them throughout the investigation.

The department vowed to provide the necessary aid to the victims, including financial assistance and psychosocial intervention.

“We hope our local authorities in Camarines Sur will conduct a swift investigation and bring justice to the family of the victims,” it said.

DepEd urged its partner agencies especially the Philippine National Police to “protect the welfare of our teachers, learners, and parents inside and outside the premises of our schools.”