Tarlac City teacher charged with child sexual abuse

The Department of Justice in the Philippines has filed multiple criminal charges against a public school teacher from Tarlac City. The teacher, Leoncio Benigno Thiem Tolentino, is accused of possessing and distributing child sexual abuse materials and committing sexual acts against two boys. Authorities found strong evidence against Tolentino. He faces charges related to online sexual exploitation and lascivious conduct. The investigation began in June 2024 after the Philippine National Police received a report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which flagged his online activity. Tolentino allegedly used his status as a trusted teacher to manipulate the boys, aged 6 and 13, into compliance. One of the victims reported that Tolentino sexually abused him multiple times, while the other described being called to Tolentino's office where inappropriate touching occurred. The police discovered 46 videos of child sexual abuse materials on Tolentino's Google Drive. They tracked his online activities and found that he used several digital devices to store and share these materials. The case highlights serious concerns about authority figures abusing their power.