Child Abuse Report Neglected at Don Bosco Technical Institute Makati. Are your children safe at this school?

Attention:
Fr. Anthony Paul Bicomong, SDB, Rector, Don Bosco Technical Institute - Makati
Fr. Renato de Guzman, SDB, Vice-Rector, Don Bosco Technical Institute - Makati

Dear Sirs,

My name is Leslie Gage, sister to an alumni of your school. I am writing to you to inform you of your school's backwards policy, inadequately trained staff members, unacceptable interpretation and application of religious teachings, lack of moral foundation, and blatant disregard and incapacity to protect and preserve the rights of children and young adults in your school. Due to the nature of this letter, I have decided to keep my brother's name anonymous for the time being, until I can acquire appropriate legal advise which I intend to seek out. I assure you that I plan to pursue this matter to fullest extent allowable by law, and I will not disappear over time. I will highlight your school's emetic and retching regulations for its true colors; a reputation you have rightfully earned through your incompetent personnel, who had the power to address yet chose to disregard a situation that was brought to their attention.

My brother, who attended your school from Kindergarten all through out high school, graduated in 1998. In his sophomore year, he sought out the help of one of your guidance counselors for sexual abuse committed against him. Your guidance counselor in turn, sent him to the principal's office where he was reprimanded for not taking "Spiritual Counseling" seriously and was eventually turned away. My brother at that time was only in 2nd year high school; He was only 14 years old and was seeking out help from the adults at your school, who's primary job is to ensure the development, health, and well being of my then minor brother. He was sent to confession and was advised by one of your priests, to pray for forgiveness for his homosexuality for s****y is mortal since punishable in hell. Is this how you handle minors who come to your staff for help regarding sexual abuse? What policy did you have in place for this to be the acceptable response to a child asking for help to put a stop to his abuse? Why were our parents not notified? Why were the authorities not notified? Why was he turned away? Why did your so-called school officials not know what to do when it is their responsibility and duty to protect students such as my brother?

I am well aware that these are very grave and disturbing allegations which I hope for your organization's sake, you take seriously. I hold your organization responsible for not addressing the crimes committed against my brother, and for not taking action as mandated by law when your school officials were notified. He was a minor, and your school did not take the proper steps to ensure his safety. Where in the bible and all your teachings about religion did it say that children are guilty for being sexually abused and that they are to be judged harshly for allowing the abuse to happen to them? Where is God in your school; a private Catholic school exclusively for boys? How many more children, past and present, have been neglected under the inexcusable lack of moral judgement by your teachers, counselors, and administrators?

I want justice for my brother, and I am speaking out on his behalf to give voice to nameless others who were victimized by your school. I hope to protect the children of all schools with similar insufficient sub-standards as Don Bosco Makati Technical Institude, and lobby for the prevention of abuse and neglect. Rest assured, I will seek out every avenue and exploit every single resource, to accomplish my goal and in exposing your organization for what it truly is. A private school that preaches religion, ethics, academic and technical aptitude; When in reality, your core foundation is as rotten as the bowels of hell.

Signed,

Leslie Gage
Hawaii, USA
Former resident of Paranaque, Metro Manila