A school principal in Midsayap, North Cotabato was injured after being shot by motorcycle-riding assailants in front of her school on Tuesday morning.
According to a report on GMA News’ 24 Oras, victim Arlyn Alcebar was about to enter the Agriculture Elementary School when two unidentified suspects on a motorcycle overtook her car and opened fire using a .45 caliber pistol. Police said the 54-year-old sustained three gunshot wounds and was rushed to the hospital, where she is now in stable condition.
In a statement, the Department of Education (DepEd) strongly denounced the attack, calling it “not only an attack on an educator, but an assault on the sanctity of schools as [a] safe zone for learning.” The agency said it is coordinating with the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and other authorities to apprehend the perpetrators.
Police Regional Office-SOCCSKSARGEN spokesperson Police Major Rissa Hernaez confirmed that investigators are still determining the motive and identity of the gunmen. “Patuloy pa ang investigation… para ma-intensify at ma-identify natin at, siyempre, ang pag-arrest sa perpetrators,” she said in an interview with GMA Regional TV News.
