THE Philippine National Police Regional Office 6 (PRO6) said a Negros Occidental teachers assigned as support staff to an electoral board was gunned down in Himamaylan City, a day before the election.
THE Department of Education (DepEd) has condemned the killing on Sunday night of a teacher designated to serve in the May 9 elections in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental in central Philippines.
“Though it is unclear yet if such brutality was election-related, we denounce any acts of violence and injustice towards our teachers, who have dedicated their lives to the Filipino children and are now selflessly serving the country in this year’s election,” the department said in a statement on Monday.
PRO public information officer chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Arnel Solis added on Monday that the shooting occurred around 8:30 p.m. when victim Mercy Miguel and her husband were on their way home to Barangay Caradio-an.
“Pinaputukan po yung mag-asawa and itong babae si Ma’am Mercy Miguel, tinamaan po sa tiyan. Sa masamang palad, binawian po siya ng buhay,” he said at a press conference.
The teacher was immediately brought to Governor Valeriano M. Gatulsao Memorial Hospital but was declared dead on arrival while Miguel’s husband, Aldrin, was safe.
PRO6 director Police Brigadier General Flynn Dongbo ordered the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office Director to conduct a thorough investigation into the shooting.
“I already gave instruction to the Provincial Director of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, Police Colonel Leo B. Pamittan to conduct a thorough investigation on this incident to determine the motive and to identify the suspect/s,” he said in a statement.
“And once the perpetrators are identified, immediately appropriate charges must be filed against them,” he added.
Four empty shells of 9 mm caliber were recovered from the area of the incident.
metrosundaily
