Matalom: The Department of Education (DepEd) in Eastern Visayas (Region 8) has expressed profound concern and strong condemnation following the fatal shooting of a public school teacher inside a classroom in Matalom, Leyte.

According to Philippines News Agency, the tragic incident has deeply affected the education community and underscored the urgent need to strengthen safety and security measures in schools to protect learners and personnel. In an official statement on Thursday, DepEd Region 8 extended its utmost sympathy to the victim, her family, and the entire school community. The department is actively coordinating with the concerned Schools Division Office, the local government unit, and the Philippine National Police to ensure that justice is served and the perpetrator is held fully accountable.

The incident occurred around 11 a.m. on Wednesday at Agbanga Elementary School in Barangay Agbanga, Matalom. The victim, a 39-year-old teacher identified by the police as alias Ellen, was reportedly shot and killed by her husband, “Lino”, 49, who was unemployed. Following the attack, the suspect fled the scene aboard a minivan and was later involved in an armed standoff with police in the town center. Authorities confirmed he died by suicide at their residence shortly after the confrontation.

In response to the incident, the regional DepEd office mobilized psychosocial support teams to provide psychological first aid to affected students and school staff to help them cope with the trauma. DepEd also reiterated the strict enforcement of existing policies on school safety and violence prevention.

The agency emphasized that all schools have been reminded to intensify campus security protocols, particularly the careful monitoring of visitors. Strengthening coordination with local authorities is essential to safeguard the well-being of learners, teaching staff, and non-teaching personnel. This is the second reported act of violence on school grounds in Leyte province within the last two weeks. On Oct. 16, a teacher in Tanauan, Leyte, was shot and injured by her estranged husband. The suspect was immediately arrested by authorities.

DepEd vowed to continue advocating for a safe learning environment and called on all stakeholders to work collaboratively in preventing violence in educational settings.