DepEd condemns gun attack vs Sultan Kudarat education exec

Vice President Sara Duterte | PHOTO: Official Facebook Page of VP Inday Sara Duterte

COTABATO CITY — Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte has condemned the shooting incident in Isulan town, Sultan Kudarat province on January 8 that targeted an education program supervisor of the Department of Education (DepEd).

“While we find comfort in knowing that our personnel and his wife are safe, DepEd deplores such acts of violence against our dedicated teachers and personnel,” Duterte said in a statement released by DepEd on Wednesday.

“DepEd implores our law enforcement authorities to swiftly investigate this matter and ensure that the perpetrators are promptly brought to justice,” it added.

READ: DepEd exec escapes gun attack, wife hurt in Sultan Kudarat

Eric Balancio, education program supervisor of Sultan Kudarat schools division office and director of Central Isulan Teachers Employees and Retirees Multi-Purpose Cooperative or CITERMPCO, escaped the attack unhurt as he had already alighted from his car and entered the cooperative’s office when two men arrived and opened fire.

However, Balancio’s wife, Norilyn, who was waiting in the front seat of the car, sustained minor injuries as the vehicle’s windshield was broken by the bullets.

Police had said Balacio appeared to be the target of the attack given that the gunfire was aimed at the driver’s side.