(Official Statement on the case of a School Head who was being hit by a bullet while performing his duty)
October 18, 2020 – This is to clarify the shooting incident that happened in Hitaob Elementary School, Barangay Awasian, Tandag City. The victim was identified as Eli Curacho Apacible, Head Teacher-II of Hitaob Elementary School, Division of Tandag City. While on his duty on October 16, 2020 he stood in front of one of the classrooms after taking his lunch, when a bullet hit him from nowhere.
Mr. Apacible has been reporting to school based on Alternative Work Arrangement (AWA) schedule which is approved by DepEd Regional Office. He reported to school, as scheduled, to DELIVER FOOD PACKAGES to the learners for their School-Based Feeding Program per Department Order No. 39, s. 2017 entitled, “Operational Guidelines on the Implementation of School-Based Feeding Program for School Years 2017-2022”.
“Nag onsite ako sir kay nag distribute nan feeding sa mga bata pero wala ko kahuman kay naghulat pa ako sa ubang ginikanan nga tua pa sa bukid, unya mao na dayon to” (I reported onsite and distributed feeding food packs to our learners but were not able to finish the distribution because I need to wait for other parents who were on their farm to claim the food packs when it happened), Apacible said.
Tandag City Division, together with the Department of Education, condemns any act of violence being done to our teachers inside the school premises. We strongly support and maintain our stand that the school, as an educational edifice, is also a zone of peace. (Imelda N. Sabornido-Schools Division Superintendent)
Tandag City Division Online Journal 