For beating pupils: Badian teacher sued

CEBU, Philippines - For allegedly beating his pupils, a public school teacher of Basak Elementary School in Badian town is now facing a criminal complaint before the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.

The parents of two victims filed the complaint for a violation of Republic Act 7610, otherwise known as Special Protection of Children against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act against Jefferson Gornes, a grade six school teacher.

Complainants alleged that their children were among of  the 10 victims who were allegedly beaten by respondent in November last year. They added that respondent got irked upon seeing the victims playing outside his classroom.

The FREEMAN withheld the names of the complainants to protect the identity of the victims.

Gornes reportedly whipped the students using an electrical wire.

Gornes told The FREEMAN in a phone interview that beating the students is an act of discipline.

“I admit that I slightly beat them using a wire and I regret it. In fact I already asked an apology to them including the parents last year before the Office of the Principal during a general meeting,” he said.

However, he was surprised upon learning that the two students together with their parents sought the help of  Vice Governor Agnes Magpale when in fact the matter had already been settled.

Gornes believed that their neighbor was behind the move of  the parents and the motive is “personal grudge” towards him.

Because of  the incident, Gornes said his life and his work were affected.

“I am saddened and hurt but I intended not to show it to everybody. I’ve been in the profession for nine years and it is the first time that I encounter such problem,” he said adding his only mistake is when he slightly beat the students.

Despite of the incident, he said there were some parents and faculty members believed in him. Gornes added that he is willing to face the charges.

“I will answer the allegations filed against me once I will receive the copy of the complaint,” he said in Cebuano.

Meanwhile, the Department of Education (DepEd)-7 is reportedly looking into a reported physical abuse committed by Gornes.

DepEd-7 director, Dr. Carmelita Dulangon, said that she already instructed provincial schools division superintendent, Dr. Arden Monisit, to create a team to look into the matter.— /GMR (FREEMAN)