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SLU student files complaint against school doctor

BAGUIO CITY (May 20) — A pharmacology student of the St. Louis University (SLU) here filed a complaint on May 9 at the regional National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) against a school physician for alleged acts of lasciviousness and violation of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act.

“My purpose in coming out to the media is to encourage those who were also victims to come out, and so that these things will not happen again in the future,” said Lalaine E. Atos in an interview.

In a sworn statement, Atos, 25, and married, said she went to the SLU clinic on May 3 for a check up because she was not feeling well. The attending physician, Dr. Benjamin Vergara checked her throat, and prescribed some medicine. Atos was advised to return three days later for a follow-up check up. However, Atos failed to attend her classes on May 5 and 6 due to fever.

“In the morning of May 7, I went back to the SLU clinic to get a medical certificate because I needed it to get an excuse slip at the SLU Student Affairs Office for my absences on May 5 and 6,” Atos said in her statement.

Once in the clinic, Atos was directed to Vergara’s room where she informed the doctor for her need of a medical certificate. Vergara asked if she had fever, colds, cough, and phlegm to which she affirmed.

“He told me that he would examine me and asked me to turn my back, so I did as I was told”, Atos said.

According to her statement, he started checking her with his stethoscope, starting from her upper back going to her sides, then to her waist and belly, instructing her to breathe deeply.

The complainant claimed she felt harassed at this point. She was instructed to face front where the doctor allegedly placed his stethoscope on the upper portion of her left chest and slid his hand down some more, and started groping.

After this, the doctor said “okay na inumin mo na lang iyong gamot mo”. After getting her medical certificate, Atos immediately proceeded to the Students Affairs for Women under a certain Mrs. Sanchez, where she reported what happened.

“Sa kanya ako unang pumunta at umiyak. Nag-file din ako ng complaint dito”, she said. She lamented, however, that the said office has not taken any action on her complaint.

Atos’ statement was documented by NBI Agent Darcy Binayan and signed by NBI Head Agent Atty. Francisco Linggon.

NORDIS called up Vergara’s office at SLU on May 20 to get his statement on the allegations, but the nurse who answered the phone said that it would be pointless to get Vergara’s side of the story since he would not be giving his statement.

The Prosecutor’s Office here gave Vergara until May 27 to file a counter-affidavit. # ATB for NORDIS

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