By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The teacher accused of molesting his 16-year-old student gave a radio interview yesterday where he denied the allegations.
Robert de Tomas said he decided to come forward in order to clear his name.
He admitted to allowing the student to sleep in his home, located in the Charito Heights Subdivision in Barangay Granada, saying, on February 10, following a dragon dance event, it was too dark for the student to return to her home in Barangay Alangilan.
De Tomas also noted the student was accompanied by a classmate, identified as “Bea,” also from Barangay Alangilan.
Bea also confirmed the statement made by the teacher, saying she was not touched by De Tomas and claimed she was being pressured by her grandmother to testify against him.
De Tomas also denied the claim that he urged the victim’s family not to file a complaint against him, explaining he has spoken with the family twice, but no progress was made./WDJ