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July 12, 2022 – Committed to protecting the welfare of all learners, the Department of Education (DepEd) has sought the immediate assistance of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to investigate the reports of emotional, verbal, and sexual abuse allegations in the Philippine High School for the Arts (PHSA) in Los Baños, Laguna.

In a letter duly received by the NBI on July 11, 2022, Vice President and Secretary of Education Sara Z. Duterte has requested the investigation body to provide a comprehensive report on the issue as soon as possible.

Likewise, the Department has also tapped its Child Protection Unit (CPU) and Child Rights in Education Desk (CREDe) to conduct a similar investigation in relation with the agency’s Child Protection Policy. PHSA has also informed the Department that they are examining the current and prior information on the matter.

Concerns and complaints concerning such abuses in PHSA are encouraged to be submitted to the school’s Committee on Decorum and Investigation for proper and further actions.

The Department and PHSA Administration are currently reviewing the school’s existing policies and strengthening its internal mechanisms to ensure the safety of the students inside the premises of the institution.

The Department would like to reiterate that the agency does not tolerate abuses in any form. Under the strong leadership of Secretary Sara Duterte, DepEd will continuously promote a healthy and safe environment for our learners and teachers.

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