DepEd calls for probe on slay of 2 educators

By: Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The Department of Education (DepEd) is calling on the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation on the killing of a school principal and a DepEd local officer in Negros Oriental on July 25.

“It is with shock and sorrow that the DepEd condemns the shooting of a school principal and a school’s division officer in Guihulngan City last Thursday,” a statement from the DepEd said.

On July 25, Arthur Bayawa, 55, principal of Science High School; and his sister Ardale Bayawa, 49, chief of the Curriculum Implementation Division (CID) of DepEd in the city, were killed by unidentified armed men at their residence in Barangay Hibaiyo.

The DepEd looks forward to results that will bring the perpetrators to justice, as they enjoins the community, local officials, and law enforcement agencies to work hand in hand to ensure peace and unity amid the recent spate of killings in the province,

The local police earlier said they are digging deeper to determine the real motive, but they are looking into work-related or personal as possible angles behind the killing.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones immediately instructed the regional director and the school’s division superintendent to submit situation reports as well as to obtain an investigation report from the authorities.

As DepEd extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved family, Briones has already mobilized the department to generate the necessary official and voluntary assistance to be provided to the siblings’ family.