THE DEPARTMENT of Education 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.
Education Undersecretary Alain Del B. Pascua, the department’s Election Task Force chair, is coordinating with field offices and law enforcement agencies for the investigation and assistance to the teacher’s family.
Himamaylan Mayor Raymund I. Tongson, in a statement on his Facebook page late Sunday, said he has ordered the local police force “to exhaust all efforts to arrest the killers.”
A report from the city police office identified the victim as Mercy B. Miguel, a teacher at the Himamaylan National High School.
Initial police investigation showed the victim and her husband were on board a motorcycle on their way home when they stopped at a crossing to move stones that were on the road. They were then fired upon by still unidentified suspects.
The city is not categorized as an election hotspot.
