A principal at Pugad Lawin High School in Quezon City has been arrested on charges of molesting four junior high school students.
Bonifacio Caculitan Jr. was taken into custody on September 29 following a police operation in response to complaints from the victims.
Carleen Sedilla, the school division superintendent, confirmed the arrest and stated that Caculitan is currently detained at a Quezon City police station.
He faces charges of lascivious conduct under Section 5(b) of Republic Act No. 7610, also known as the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.
According to police reports, the incidents occurred when Caculitan called several Grade 10 students to his office on a day when classes were not in session.
One victim, a 17-year-old boy, recounted: “Doon po niya tinatanong kung ilang taon na raw po ako kung nagamit ko na raw yung pagkalalaki ko. Tapos hinawak-hawakan na po niya. [He was asking me how old I was and if I had already ‘used’ my manhood. Then he started touching it].”
This victim described how the principal began inappropriate touching until interrupted by a friend knocking on the door.
Three other students, aged 15 and 17, also reported similar experiences.
Police Lt. Col. Macario Loteyro noted that the victims approached authorities after one student managed to escape and inform his parents about the situation.
The Quezon City Police District is investigating whether there are other victims.
The Department of Education (DepEd) Central Office has also been notified of the incident, with Secretary Angara calling for an investigation.
“We have not yet received a report from our SDO in Quezon City. We will closely monitor and will give you updates once the concerned field office submits its incident report,” said Dennis Legaspi, media relations chief for DepEd, as reported by GMA News.
