Public School Teacher Indicted in Court
July 3, 2019 · By Francis B. Bermido, Jr.
Public School Teacher Indicted in Court
Francis B. Bermido Jr.
Franco Aranas, a public high school teacher in Olongapo City, was indicted in court for two counts of lascivious conduct after two male students, both 14 years old, filed a complaint against him for violation of Republic Act 7610. In his Resolution dated 24 May 2019, Associate City Prosecutor Charlie Lim Yap stated that “clearly, respondent (Franco Aranas) committed lascivious conduct by intentionally touching the penis(es) of AAA and BBB with the intent to gratify his sexual desire.”
Franco Aranas with two other accomplices is also facing criminal complaints for child abuse and qualified trafficking filed by another 15-year old male student in March 2019. The Resolution on this case is expected to be released by the public prosecutor in the coming weeks.
The Preda Foundation has also charged Franco Aranas with an administrative case for child abuse and immoral conduct and it wishes to remind all duty-bearers particularly teachers and school administrators about their duty to help victims of sexual abuse and exploitation, trafficking, discrimination and bullying. Section 5 of the Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR) of Republic Act 7610 states that it is “the duty of all teachers and administrators in public schools. . . to report all incidents of child abuse .”
