DOJ files charges against Tarlac teacher for online sexual abuse

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed multiple criminal charges against Leoncio Benigno Thiem Tolentino, a teacher from Tarlac, for his alleged involvement in online sexual abuse and exploitation of children.

Tolentino was arrested on September 20, 2024 during an operation conducted by the Philippine National Police (PNP) based on a referral from the US-based National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), resulting in the rescue of two individuals aged 19 and 12 years old.

The DOJ filed charges under the Online Sexual Exploitation of Children Act, Anti-Child Pornography Act, Cybercrime Prevention Act, and Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse Act before the Tarlac Regional Trial Court.

Digital forensic examinations revealed explicit photographs involving male minors from incidents that occurred when the victims were 13 years old and six years old in 2019 and 2017 respectively.

At the time of the incident, the victims were lured to Tolentino's office and house with offers of P100 to P150 and sandwiches each time they visited, where they were sexually molested by Tolentino.

DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla commended DOJ prosecutors for their commitment to justice, particularly in cases involving child exploitation.