Principal charged for molesting 2 students

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – Sexual abuse charges have been filed against a 50-year-old school head of a government institution for allegedly molesting two graduating high school students in northernmost Cagayan province.

Chief Inspector Josel Pagulayan, Gattaran police chief, yesterday confirmed the name of the suspect as Jery Castillejo, principal of the town’s Calaoagan Dakkel National High School, who is now facing sexual molestation and harassment charges before the Cagayan prosecutor’s office.

“The charges against him were formally filed before the prosecutor’s office in Aparri (town) last Friday,” said the police officer in an interview over the phone.

“But the suspect is still scot-free as no warrant of arrest has been issued yet,” he said.

According to him, the two minors claimed they were abused by the suspect in separate instances inside his office with the alleged condition that they will be getting passing grades, and eventually graduate from high school if they give in to his advances.

One of the victims claimed that the suspect, who allegedly summoned her to talk about her poor grades, even reportedly inserted his finger into her private parts on March 13.

Three days earlier, the other victim claimed, the suspect kissed and embraced her inside his office for the same reason.

On Friday, after gaining sufficient courage, the victims, accompanied by their school advisers, reported the alleged incidents to authorities who immediately filed the case with the prosecutor’s office.–Charlie Lagasca, Philippine Star