‘ISOLATED CASE’: ONHS teacher reassigned after harassment case surfaces

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Oton National High School has described the sexual harassment and abuse complaint against one of its teachers as an isolated case that does not reflect the school’s long-standing reputation.

“The person involved is different from the school,” said ONHS Principal Darwin Haro in a press conference last week.

“This is an isolated case,” he added.

“This is a case taken to the media. We will not allow this to become a trial by publicity because there is a rule of law that we should observe.”

Haro assured the public that the school, in coordination with the Department of Education, is following due process to ensure fairness and justice.

“We are doing what we have to do,” he said.

“We are assuring that the number one priority is the interest of the children.”

Haro said the school has provided psychological first aid to affected students through its guidance coordinator and plans to extend similar support to teachers.

He confirmed that the teacher involved has been reassigned to another DepEd office to prevent undue influence on the ongoing investigation.

He also assured that the teacher’s classes will continue without disruption, as the school has enough staff to take over teaching duties.

“My heart is bleeding for the kids who are minors who are not supposed to be implicated in this issue,” Haro said.

“I hope we can be cautious so that we will not be able to stigmatize the minors and the professionals.”

ONHS is currently on a one-week midyear wellness break, after which classes — including those of affected students — will resume as scheduled.

Haro urged the public to be “slow in anger and judgment,” warning against generalized condemnation of teachers.

He said the controversy is also a “good opportunity” for educators to reflect on their behavior.

“I apologize to everyone that this is happening under my watch, but I am trying to secure everything in my leadership,” he said.

“The law will take its course,” he added.

“So let me assure you, to the parents, to the children, that you have seen our diligence and cooperation.”

“I assure you that you can still trust us in protecting your children.”

The Oton Municipal Police Station confirmed that criminal charges will be filed against the teacher on Oct. 27.

The suspect will face charges under Republic Act 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.

SCREENSHOTS CIRCULATE ONLINE

Following the sexual harassment issue, a dummy social media account posted screenshots of alleged private conversations involving other teachers, including Haro.

Haro claimed the screenshots were “meant to destroy institutions, destroy the community, destroy the teachers.”

He said the messages between him and a student — who has since graduated — were taken “out of context” and posted with “malice.”

“It was a joke, an endearment, an encounter with a friend,” Haro said.

“We cannot deny also that there are friendships that are actually cultivated in school up to graduation.”

Authorities are now working to identify the individual behind the account to pursue a cybercrime complaint.

“This cannot be disregarded,” Haro said.

“This will never be left unanswered because the person who did this will be doing this all the time if this person is not apprehended.”