Violence against teachers, employees alarms DepEd

MANILA, Philippines -  The Department of Education (DepEd) has expressed alarm over a series of violent incidents involving its personnel in different parts of the country this week.

Two DepEd personnel were killed on Monday in separate incidents in Zamboanga del Sur and Negros Oriental, while another was critically injured during a shooting incident in Batangas on Tuesday.

“The DepEd strongly reiterates its firm stand against all acts of violence and extends the same call for the safety and protection of its learners, teachers and personnel in and outside school,” the agency said in a statement.

“We express great concern over the recent incidents of violence against its personnel, the latest of which is the attempt on the life of a high school principal from San Jose, Batangas,” it added.

The department was referring to the case involving Alitagtag National High School principal Emily Mallari who was shot while drivING her car in Lipa City on Tuesday.

Mallari, who is in critical condition, sustained gunshot wounds and lost control of her car following the shooting perpetrated by motorcycle-riding men.

The attempt on Mallari’s life followed two separate shooting incidents on Monday that killed outgoing Pagadian City schools division superintendent Marcom Borongan and public school teacher Kim Timosan from Bayawan City, Negros Oriental.

Timosan was shot dead by a still unidentified gunman on Monday morning inside his residence, while Borongan was killed inside the division office during a farewell event for him.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones said they are closely coordinating with the police over the incidents. She also ordered regional officials to monitor the investigations.