An elementary school teacher was shot dead by his alleged live-in partner in front of horrified students in Bocaue, Bulacan yesterday.
Police identified the victim as Melody Santa Teresa Esber, 33, a teacher at Tambubong Elementary School in Barangay Tambubong.
The suspect, a 40-year-old soldier identified as Ruperto Datwin, then shot himself on the head, according to police.
Raine Julian Legazpi, a nine-year-old student, was hit by a stray bullet in the left shoulder and was rushed to the Santa Maria Hospital. He was in stable condition.
Senior Superintendent Chito Bersaluna, director of the Bulacan Provincial Police Office (PPO), said Esber was having a class around 9 a.m. when Datwin barged into the classroom.
“Itong sundalo pinuntahan ang live-in partner doon sa klase niya. Noong nagka-confrontation na sila sa loob ng classroom ay bigla na lang po binaril ‘yung teacher at pagkatapos ay nagbaril din ang sundalo sa sarili,” Bersaluna said.
Students rushed out of the classroom and sought help, according to Bersaluna.
Recovered from the scene was a folder which suggests that the couple had financial problems.
“Doon po sa crime scene, may table na nandoon yung parang declaration nilang dalawa na parang apparently may problema sila financially, Bersaluna said.
Also written was purportedly a pact that only death will separate the couple.
“May nakalagay din na papel na handwritten na kamatayan lang ang maghihiwalay sa kanila. Apparently, pirmado nilang dalawa ito,” Bersaluna said.
The victim had a former husband with whom she had three children.
The shooting incident forced the cancellation of classes in the school. (Martin Sadongdong)
