By Benjamin Pulta
MANILA – The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed multiple criminal cases against a teacher for child sexual abuse and exploitation.
In a news release on Wednesday, the DOJ said charges of violation of Online Sexual Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Lascivious Conduct under Republic Act Nos. 11930 and 7610, respectively, Republic Act No. 9775 (Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009), in relation to Republic Act No. 10175, and the Revised Penal Code were filed against Leoncio Benigno Thiem Tolentino before the Tarlac Regional Trial Court.
Tolentino was the subject of a referral sent by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) — a nonprofit organization based in the United States of America that investigates child sexual abuse and exploitation incidents – to the Philippine National Police Women and Children Protection Center (WCPC).
Based on the report, authorities were able to obtain information about the activities and details of the accused, leading to his arrest.
The DOJ noted that the victims were 13 years old and six years-old at the time of the incidents and that Tolentino, an educator, had used his authority to manipulate and exploit them.
The DOJ panel of prosecutors led by Deputy State Prosecutor Olivia Laroza-Torrevillas and Prosecution Attorney Criselda Teoxon-Yanga, under the guidance of Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon, found that there exists strong prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction to indict the suspect.
“This is a testament to the DOJ’s unwavering commitment to the pursuit of justice, especially in cases involving the most vulnerable members of our society,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said. (PNA)
