By John Peps M. Dales
MSU-Marawi Intern
THE Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (Barmm) denounced the recent grenade attack which resulted in the death of a public school teacher in Pikit, North Cotabato.
In an emailed statement, Education Minister Mohagher Iqbal described the attack as an ‘inhuman act’ and assured the entire education community that the ministry is committed to contributing and working in ending all forms of abuse and violence.
The victim was identified as Marichu Valle Cabañog, a 42-year-old resident and a public school teacher at Balong Elementary School in Barangay Ginatilan, Pikit, North Cotabato.
On June 15, Thursday, Cabañog was sleeping when an unknown man threw a grenade inside her house at around 2:00 am.
Cabañog was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital but unfortunately died while being treated for shrapnel wounds she suffered from the explosion. The investigation is still ongoing to identify the suspect and the motive behind the attack.
Iqbal also addressed the surging incidents that have threatened the safety and security of the Municipality of Pikit where the majority of these incidents were shooting and ambush.
On May 26, another public school teacher was also killed in Barangay Manaulanan, Pikit, North Cotabato. Joel Reformado, a head teacher of Damalasak Elementary School. He was riding a motorcycle with Elton John Lapined when they were shot by a still unidentified gunman. Reformado died while Lapined survived the shooting.
According to the military and some cause-oriented groups in Cotabato, there have been around 50 recorded casualties in a series of crimes for the past three months in Northern Cotabato.
While in February, students were mostly the victims of gun violence which has resulted in increasing dropout rates among schools in Pikit.
Iqbal is now calling for authorities especially the men in uniform alongside the Local Government Unit of the region to immediately conduct an investigation and expeditiously bring justice to the bereaved families.
