PAMPANGA — Physical and verbal abuse by a teacher at a public high school in Lubao, Pampanga last Thursday has left three Grade 9 students afraid to attend their classes.

Footage of the incident, filmed by a fellow student, depicts the teacher visibly enraged and verbally attacking the students. The students claim they were taken aback by the teacher's outburst while they engaging in light-hearted banter during class. 

"Nagkaklase po... Nagbubusitan po kami," recounted one of the students.

(We were in class... we were fooling around.)

The situation quickly escalated as the teacher assaulted the three students — hitting, slapping, and pulling their hair while scolding them.

Grade 9 students are generally between 13 to 15 years old.

STUDENTS' PARENTS IN SHOCK

This appalling behavior left the students' parents in shock and disbelief. 

"Masakit po, masakit bilang isang magulang na yung anak mo sinasaktan ng ibang tao, at teacher pa," one of the parents said.

(It pains me. It's painful to see your child being hurt, especially by a teacher.)

The parents said that teachers should be respected and highlighted their role as surrogate parents to their students but said the incident should not happen again.

"Sana hindi na niya ulitin yung ganyang nangyari. Na hindi siya nananakit ng mga estudyante niya, para hindi rin masira yung ibang teacher sa ginawa niya," added another parent.

(I hope the teacher doesn't do that again. Teachers should not hurt their students, this affects the dignity of all other teachers.)

COMPLAINT FILED; DEPED TO CONDUCT OWN INVESTIGATION

Police Lt. Col. Dederick Relativo, head of the Lubao Municipal Police Station, meanwhile denounced the teacher's actions.

"Nakita natin sa video na hindi siya naging appropriate response in handling such situation... Sila ay nasaktan, they suffered physical abuse and at the same time yung verbal abuse which is a clear violation of Republic Act 7610."

(We saw in the video that that was not an appropriate response. The children were hurt. They suffered physical and verbal abuse, which is a clear violation of Republic Act 7610.)

The teacher has been relieved of their duties, and the case has been referred to the Department of Education Regional Office for a thorough investigation.

The DepEd Division Office in Pampanga will also conduct its own inquiry into the matter.

Formal charges under RA 7610 or the Child Protection Act have been lodged against the teacher over the incident, which has triggered widespread outrage and demands for justice in the community.