PRO-7 probes death threat sent to DepEd reg’l head

CEBU, Philippines - The Police Regional Office-7 is eva-luating the death threat sent to Department of Education–7 Director Carmelita Dulangon to determine if police personnel need to be deployed for her safety.

PRO-7 Director Prudencio Tom Bañas said that they believe the person who sent Dulangon the message has a personal grudge on the DepEd director based on the manner of the text message, which had the acronym “RIP” or rest in peace on it followed by the cross symbol.

“May threat din doon especially sa end. There was a man or a woman na parang galit na galit sa kanya,” he said.

Dulangon recently paid a visit to Bañas and confirmed to him the death threat that she received first week of December.

Bañas said that the sender might have been carried away by his or her emotion.

The PRO-7 director believes that Dulangon has suspicions on who the sender was. He said that they will closely look into the list of education officials who might have been affected by the orders that Dulangon issued.

“Mabait naman si Maam. Siguro may hindi napagbigyan. Hindi aabot sana sa ganyan. Trabaho lang talaga,” he said.

Dulangon and Bañas also discussed the necessary precautions that would ensure her safety.  He then recommended Dulangon not to go around on her own and added that it is best to be in crowded places to lessen the risk of being in danger.

Bañas also encourages the sender of the text message to apologize to Dulangon in the spirit of Christmas.

“This is the season of joy, thanksgiving and blessing kaya dapat magpatawad. She (Dulangon) told me na humingi siya ng tawad over the media to whoever the person is. Nagkasala siya nang hindi sinasadya,” he said.

Dulangon is set to retire next week. — Grace Melanie I. Lacamiento/ATO (FREEMAN)