Teacher denies shaming allegations
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
The Negros Occidental Commission on Human Rights (CHR) determined cyberbullying triggered the recent suicide of Ramon Torres National High School (RTNHS) Grade 8 student Eric Hain Demafeliz.
In a radio interview yesterday, CHR-Negros Occidental investigator Vincent Parra said he spoke with the student’s advisor Larina Peruelo, who showed him several shots of social media sites displaying messages accusing Demafeliz of stealing a classmate’s tablet.
Peruelo also admitted escorting Demafeliz to the Bago City Police Station.
She explained, they visited in order to report Demafeliz’s social media account was hacked and to affirm he was not the one that posted the picture of the stolen tablet.
Police, however, did not record the incident, explaining cyber hacking is not under their jurisdiction.
Peruelo also denied the allegations by Demafeliz’s mother, Warlina, claiming the victim was “shamed” during a flag ceremony.
The advisor asserted they did not announce the theft incident on the microphone, but Demafeliz’s family claims they have a witness to prove the allegations.
Following the visit, Peruelo also submitted a statement before the Department of Education (DepEd) Division of Bago City, which is conducting a separate investigation of the incident.
Parra, meanwhile, said Peruelo could face administrative charges if the allegations are proven.
Earlier this month, Task Force Kasanag (TFK) national commander John Chiong asked CHR-Negros to probe the incident, questioning RTNHS staff over the handling of the case, saying school staff should have contacted the student’s parents before involving the police.
Legal counsel for the DepEd Division of Bago, Atty. Rex Cabarles, meanwhile, came to the defense of RTNHS, denying Demafeliz was brought to Bago City police over theft allegations.
Cabarles explained, a picture of the stolen tablet was shown for sale on a social media account run by the student and they went to police in order to organize an entrapment operation against him.
Chiong, meanwhile stated organizing an entrapment operation against Demafeliz is illegal since he is a minor./DGB, WDJ