Ex-teacher charged for raping student

MANILA, Philippines - A former music teacher was charged before the Manila prosecutor’s office yesterday after he was arrested over the weekend for allegedly raping a student at a Catholic school in Manila.

Billy Opolente, 27, was brought to the fiscal’s office for inquest on charges of rape, child abuse and voyeurism filed by parents of the 13-year-old victim.

A Manila Police District (MPD) report revealed that the suspect used to teach at the Holy Trinity Academy where the victim was a grade seven student.

Opolente allegedly invited the victim to eat out but instead brought the victim to his house and raped him.

The abuse continued for over a year. Opolente also allegedly demanded P5,000 from the student in exchange for not releasing a video of him being abused.

Opolente was fired from the school when the victim’s parents found out about the abuse and informed school officials.

But Opolente allegedly continued to threaten the victim, prompting his parents to approach the police.

Apart from rape and child abuse, the suspect was also charged with voyeurism for taking videos of the rapes.