Ombuds suspends teacher accused of rape by student

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman Visayas has ordered a six-month preventive suspension against a public school teacher who was accused of rape by his 13-year-old girlfriend and student.

Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Pelagio Apostol has placed Raul Bayotlang, 28, under suspension pending resolution of the administrative complaint filed against him before the anti-graft office.

“The continued stay of Bayotlang in office could prejudice the conduct of the administrative investigation as he is in a position to influence witnesses,” Apostol said.

Apostol said that the “evidence against the respondent is strong and, if the charge against him is proven, it may warrant his removal from office.”

Apostol said the preventive suspension is necessary to remove Bayotlang from the “sensitive environment” to prevent any negative impact. The suspension order came following the request of the victim’s mother.

The anti-graft body has directed the regional director of the Department of Education to implement the suspension order and to submit a compliance report within five days upon receipt of the order.

Bayotlang through his lawyer Wendell Quiban immediately filed a petition for injunction against Apostol and DepEd regional director Ricaredo Borgonia. Bayotlang prayed for the court to issue a temporary restraining order but was denied by RTC executive Judge Silvestre Maamo.

Maamo said there was no urgency in the petition that would warrant the issuance of a TRO. The main petition was raffled off to RTC Branch 10 Judge Soliver Peras. — (FREEMAN)