The teacher in the viral TikTok video under the username @leobondoclopez has apologized, according to Teachers’ Dignity Coalition national chairperson Benjo Basas.
The organization welcomed DepEd’s move to investigate the teacher for “potential child abuse.” “Wala namang problema kung ito ay pa-imbestigahan to establish na meron talagang malicious content and kung meron talagang harm intended, kailangan talagang ma-imbestigahan.”
Basas added the teacher said the viral TikTok video was for fun only.
“Naglabas ng apology ‘yung teacher at sinabi niyang ‘yun ay katuwaan lang. Hindi naman pwedeng sabihin na ‘yung lahat ng mga bagay basta katuwaan lang ay palalampasin po natin. Kumbaga, he’s man enough na tanggapin ‘yung posible na pagkakamali d’un sa kanyang ginawa,” he added.
The official reiterated teachers also need to be reminded about limits as professionals.
“Of course sa child abuse, hindi naman kailangan ng intention. Basta meron pong perceived at ‘yun nga potential abuse na pwedeng makita ang otoridad or offended party if ever, child abuse would exist,” he said.
However, Basas was saddened that a statement about “insinuating potential child abuse” was quickly released to the media.
Viral teacher in TikTok apologizes, says video just for fun
“Hindi pa rin siya absuwelto doon kasi sa child abuse, sexual harassment or whatever, ang nakalagay naman po sa batas kahit once mo lang ginawa yan, wala kang istorya ng mga ganyan ay pwede naman po basta na-establish. Kaya sinasabi po namin wala pong problema kung yung teacher ay imbestigahan pero wag naman po sanang pagpiyestahan,” he said.
He said the teacher’s identity was not protected.
“Eto po yung sinasabi na magna carta for public school teachers. Wala pong publicity allowed dito sa kaso pero hindi po gan’un ‘yung nangyari. Hindi na-protektahan ‘yung kanyang identity and itsura. Eh ‘yung mga holdaper nga na nahuli na nag-holdap sa jeep or public places tapos pinakita sa media or social media, binu-blur nga po natin yung mukha eh,” he added.
“Pero hindi ganito yung nangyari sa ating teacher nakabalandar yung mukha niya, yung eskwelahan niya, yung pangalan niya ay nandyan po,” he said.
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