Stock photo / INQUIRER.net
BACOLOD CITY — The Department of Education (DepEd) in Negros Occidental will provide psychological intervention for students and teachers of a high school in Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental who witnessed their principal go on a shooting rampage on Tuesday, April 12.
“DepEd Negros Occidental is working closely with other agencies and offices in dealing with the situation. We also commit to bring back normalcy in the school community by providing psychological interventions to the students and personnel who witnessed and are affected by the tragedy,” the DepEd said in a statement on Wednesday.
“DepEd Negros Occidental strongly condemns all forms of violence occurring particularly in schools. We commit to the principle that schools are zones of peace where the safety and well-being of learners and personnel are of utmost importance,” it added.
Principal Warren L. Escobar, 56, shot and killed teacher Almarisa A. Arroy and her husband, Christopher, both 35 years old, at the Bilbao-Uybico National High School in Barangay Pook before taking his own life.
READ: School principal shoots to death teacher, husband before killing himself in Negros Occidental
There were about 100 students attending in-person classes and teachers who were at the school at the time of the shooting, DepEd Negros Occidental spokesman Ian Arnold Arnaez said.
Since the case is now under investigation, DepEd will await the official pronouncements of the Philippine National Police.
The DepEd-Negros Occidental offered its condolences to the bereaved families for the loss of their loved ones. “We are one with them in this darkest moment of their lives,” it said.
The DepEd appealed to its partners, personnel, and the public to exercise prudence in expressing their views and opinions on the incident out of respect to the families of the victims.
The Arroys were survived by their two sons aged 10 and 3.
Police believed the principal killed the Arroys because Almarisa had filed a sexual harassment complaint against him.
Several other teachers were also allegedly harassed by the principal.
RELATED STORIES
Execs suspend classes after bloodshed in Negros school
Counseling sessions ordered following Negros school shooting