The arrest and filing of charges against a DepEd District Supervisor assigned in Cadiz City did not come as a surprise to Cadiznons because of numerous other cases he has been facing in the city, Negros Occidental Board Member Salvador Escalante, former Cadiz City Mayor, said yesterday.

On June 5 the police filed charges for illegal drug use and violation of Republic Act 7610, or child abuse, before the Bacolod City Prosecutor’s Office against Joshua Santillana, 55, who has since been released on bail.

Two male teenagers, both 16, whose names are being withheld, were rescued from the “drug den” after the father of one of them claimed that Santillana was inducing the minors to take drugs, hiring commercial sex workers for them, and sexually molesting them.

Cadiz City Schools Division Superintendent Roel Bermejo said a fact-finding investigation conducted by the five-man team formed by the DepEd Region 6, is expected to release its recommendation on the case of Santillana in 30 days.

Santillana, who was found positive for the use of drugs, was meted an indeterminate suspension by the DepEd since his arrest, but Bermejo said he can file an appeal for his reinstatement.

Escalante said Santillana has faced numerous cases in Cadiz, including malversation, so it was just a matter of time for him to be arrested.

Santillana should retire, face the consequences of what he has done, and move on, Escalante said.

His being positive for the use of drugs constitutes in conduct unbecoming of a public official, he added.

Santillana, if he has any knowledge, should reveal other teachers who are also using drugs, he added.*CPG

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