TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Education (DepEd) in Eastern Visayas has intensified school security measures following the tragic killing of a teacher inside Agbanga Elementary School in Matalom, Leyte.
Regional Director Ronelo Al Firmo personally visited the wake of the slain teacher on October 23 to convey condolences and assure the victim’s family and school community of the Department’s full support.
Police reports identified the victim, “Ellen,” 39, who was shot by her husband, “Lino,” 49, inside her classroom on October 22. The suspect, who was reportedly unemployed, fled the scene and later died by suicide at their residence.
The incident was the second case of school-related violence in Leyte within two weeks. Earlier, on October 16, another teacher in Tanauan was shot and wounded by her estranged husband, who was later arrested.
In response, Firmo visited Agbanga Elementary School to assess the situation and ensure immediate safety interventions. He also directed all division offices to strengthen campus security protocols in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and local government units.
Among the directives were the hiring of security personnel in schools, regular PNP patrols and visibility, security training for school guards, provision of metal detectors, and strict inspection of visitors entering school premises.
Firmo also urged school heads to coordinate with barangay officials for the deployment of barangay tanods, in line with the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) Memorandum Circular 2025-072, which mandates tanods to assist public schools in managing traffic, patrolling school grounds, and reporting potential threats.
DepEd-8 reiterated its commitment to safeguarding teachers and learners, emphasizing that ensuring school safety is crucial to maintaining a secure and supportive learning environment across Eastern Visayas.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA/LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
