DepEd investigates teacher in viral TikTok video

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education on Friday said it is looking into a TikTok video that has gone viral involving a teacher that suggested potential child abuse. 

Officials did not identify the teacher, but the TikTok clip was created by user @leobondoclopez. He has a following of over 104,000 on the platform, but has since switched his account to private. 

"DepEd, as an institution trusted to protect the rights of every Filipino learner, does not tolerate any form of abuse towards children," the agency said in a statement. 

The video in question portrayed a male teacher wanting to get the attention of his student. The caption read: "Kapag dumaan 'yung cute na student mo...tamang pa-cute lang."

(When you try to look cute as your cute student passes by.)

Social media users called out the content creator for the video's pedophilia tendencies. 

Education Secretary Leonor Briones has told the agency's office in Central Luzon to probe the incident and met the teacher with appropriate sanctions. 

DepEd sought to remind teachers and non-teaching staff to always "subject our words and actions, including our social media activities, to the highest degree of ethical and professional standards."

Teachers above all, it added, should advocate for "safe and nurturing learning environment for children, where physical, verbal, sexual and other forms of abuse and discrimination are renounced."

Officials vowed they will continue to strengthen the agency's policies and activities to protect students against abuse, especially during National Children's Month.