Pedophiles abuse children while Court of Appeals sleeps

A RECENT decision of the Department of Education (DepEd) to dismiss for grave misconduct from the teaching profession Franco N. Aranas, a teacher of New Cabalan High School in Olongapo City, Zambales, should have been a swift decision to protect children and see justice done. It has taken almost three years, however, before the decision was made to dismiss the abusive teacher, who sexually abused his students. Yet, this teacher, Franco N. Aranas, while found guilty of grave misconduct by the DepEd's regional director, May B. Eclar, can continue teaching in the same school until the dismissal from service is confirmed by Education Secretary Leonor Briones. We earnestly hope that Secretary Briones acts speedily to confirm the decision of the regional director to protect children and see justice is done. The DepEd must not harbor a child abuser among its ranks.

What is wrong with the system where it is clear justice delayed is justice denied, a system that favors the sex abusers and ignores traumatized children? It casts a dark shadow over the institutions. The teacher was accused of sexually abusing three minor students, one 14 years old and two 15, in the Sunshine Lodge near the Victory Liner station in Olongapo City on two separate occasions in June and August 2018. This place ought to be investigated for enabling human trafficking and child abuse, violations of law.