The killing of a teacher and her husband at a high school in Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental, was triggered by a sexual harassment complaint, an initial police investigation showed.
Principal Warren L. Escobar, 56, shot and killed teacher Almarisa A. Arroy and her husband, Christoper, both 35 years old, at the Bilbao-Uybico National High School in Barangay Pook before taking his own life at about 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 12, Maj. John Ganzon said.
Escobar, married and a resident of Barangay Bulwangan, Hinoba-an, who was armed with a shotgun shot Christopher, a call center agent, outside the classroom of his wife, Ganzon said.
When her husband fell, Almarisa ran towards an open classroom to hide but Escobar chased her and shot her in the face resulting in her instantaneous death, he added.
Escobar then went back to his pickup and shot himself with a .45 caliber pistol also resulting in his instantaneous death.
The Arroys, who were from Sitio Omilis, Barangay Poblacion, Cauayan, had just arrived at the school when the incident happened.
A possible motive for the killing is the principal found out that Almarisa was filing a complaint for sexual harassment against him, Ganzon said.
The teacher had allegedly already filed a complaint against the principal through the 8888 President’s Hotline. She was advised to also file a complaint before the Hinoba-an police Women and Children Protection Desk, Ganzon said.
Hinoba-an Mayor Ernesto Estrao said he received information that the principal was angry at the teacher because a complaint was lodged against him with the Office of the President.
Classes at the Bilbao Uybico National High School were suspended.*