Some of the country’s teachers — belonging to what is considered a noble profession — faced gruesome deaths this year.
Here’s a list of teachers’ who met tragic deaths:
Truck accident
This November, two public school teachers from Kabacan National High School were killed in a truck accident while on their way home from a leadership camp.
Melanie Iglesias and Tohane Macalipat were aboard a yellow truck with 39 students cruising through Alameda town in North Cotabato.
The truck fell into a cliff at Barangay Dado and sent the victims to the hospital.
Iglesias died on the spot, while Macalipat was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.
READ: WATCH: 2 teachers killed, 39 students injured as truck falls off cliff in North Cotabato
Shooting
Melody Esber, teacher at the Tambunong Elementary School in Bocaue, Bulacan, was shot dead allegedly by Ruperto Datwin, a 40-year-old Army soldier.
Bocaue police said Datwin easily entered the school because there were no security guards on duty.
Investigators were eyeing a love triangle and debt issues as possible motives for the shooting.
READ: Soldier who killed teacher entered school unchecked – police
Stabbing
Mylene Durante, a 23-year-old elementary public school teacher, was stabbed to death in an alleged rape attempt in Albay.
Durante was killed inside the principal’s office in Oringon Elementary School in Barangay Oringo in Pio Duran.
She was allowed by the school administration to use the principal’s office as her quarters to help her save money as she lived 44 kilometers away from the school.
Two Grade 6 students were tasked to keep Durante company at night.
However, in an unfortunate incident, a Grade 12 student attacked Durante and wounded the two Grade 6 students.
Police said the suspect used a 6-inch knife to kill Durante.
READ: Public school teacher stabbed to death in Albay
Suicide
A technology and livelihood education teacher at the Leyte National High School (LNHS) allegedly committed suicide.
She was found hanging at the back of the classroom.
Police considered the possibility that the victim had been raped since she was found naked by her sister.
The teacher’s sister went to LNHS after not being able to contact her.
READ: Teacher found hanging in Leyte school
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For those who might have mental health issues, the Department of Health advised to contact the 24/7 Hopeline to seek professional help.
Hopeline can be reached via telephone number (02) 804-4673, mobile phone number 0917-558-4673 or toll-free 2919 for Globe and TM subscribers.