The teacher who was killed in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, was supposed to serve in the 2022 National and Local Elections, the Department of Education (DepEd) said Monday, May 9.
DepEd, in a statement, said it strongly condemns the shooting of Mercy Miguel, a teacher at the Himamaylan National High School.
“Though it is unclear yet if such brutality was election-related, we denounce any acts of violence and injustice towards our teachers, who have dedicated their lives to the Filipino children and are now selflessly serving the country in this year’s election,” the statement said.
Secretary Leonor Briones has already instructed the Office of the Undersecretary for Finance to provide financial and other necessary assistance to the teacher and her family.
DepEd Election Task Force Chair and Undersecretary Alain Del Pascua is also coordinating with the concerned field offices and local officials to investigate the incident and to provide support to the victim’s family and colleagues, the statement also said.
The department also called on the local authorities in Negros Occidental to “deliver swift justice for such heinous crime against our dearly departed colleague. Likewise, we reiterate our call to our partner agencies, especially the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, to protect our teachers, poll workers, and voters.”
“Violence is not and should not be part of the process of democracy. Together, let us stay vigilant and reinforce a free, peaceful, and credible election for this nation,” the statement said.
On Sunday night, May 8, Miguel and her husband were on their way home on board a motorcycle when they encountered huge rocks piled up the road that blocked their way.
The unidentified suspects, who were hiding in the grassy portion of the road, then attacked the victim, who succumbed to gunshot wounds in her stomach.*