The teacher who claimed she was assaulted by a student of Raymundo T. Tongson National High School-Su-ay Extension in Himamaylan City will be changing schools. Himamaylan City assistant schools division superintendent Bernie Libo-on said Kristel Anne Valencia has been reassigned to the city’s main school in Barangay Talaban.
Meanwhile, amid the allegations, the student in question was advised not to attend school and permitted to continue studies at home.
An investigation into the incident has since been launched with Libo-on indicating plans on meeting the student and their parents.
Teacher-in-charge Ma. Lynn Munchuelas, who also happens to be the involved student’s grandmother, was not present when the incident occurred. Watchmen Daily Journal tried reaching out to her for a reaction but they have yet to respond as of press time.
Negros Occidental Provincial Board Member Ernesto Agustin Bascon, who chairs the Provincial Board Committee on Education and previously served as city mayor, said, if the problem could not be resolved by the local Department of Education office, it must be elevated to the regional office because Himamaylan City is separated from the Negros Occidental School Division.
Earlier this week, Valencia released an affidavit claiming a 16-year-old minor allegedly harassed and physically attacked her.
On February 26, after receiving a message on an online chat reading, “Hey send nude,” Valencia met with the student alone in the principal’s office, where the accused denied sending the message. The exchange escalated after the student called the teacher “Ungo (Dumb)” and “good for nothing.”
According to Valencia, the student claimed they were being blamed for everything and declared, “Bay-i da ma expel (I don’t care if I get expelled).” The student then reportedly removed their ID and sling bag, stood in front of the teacher while wrapping their fist with a handkerchief, and proceeded to punch her in the forehead.
The student then allegedly pulled her hair and pressed the teacher’s face into the sofa.
The altercation was stopped when faculty members intervened, including Kristine Joy Torcita, the student’s mother./DGB, WDJ