Kin of slain teacher seek help

MANILA, Philippines - The family of Loida Pagatpat, a 59-year-old teacher who was gunned down inside a classroom in a public elementary school in Palanas, Masbate last Feb. 3, is crying for justice.

Pagatpat’s son Norman said the government should go after the killers of his mother, who he described to be good and loyal teacher and a loving mother, to show that such a crime is not left unpunished and that violence in Masbate will be diminished.

The Pagatpat family is calling on the police and the Department of Education to assist them in seeking justice.

Pagatpat was shot dead in front of her students in a classroom of the Antipolo Elementary School in Palanas town.

Norman said the pupils of her mother’s school now refuse to go to classes because of fear arising from her killing.

The Pagatpats said they are offering P100, 000 reward to anyone who could identify the killers.

“This is how serious we are on the case. Even if we are not a family of means, we are ready to give a reward to anybody who can identify the killers of our mother,” Norman said in Filipino.

The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) called on authorities to ensure the safety of school personnel and students in areas like Masbate which have a history of armed conflict and lawless violence. 

“The family of teacher Loida, her pupils, the community and the entire education sector deserve justice because this crime is not just a crime against an individual teacher, this is also an attack on the entire profession,” said TDC national chairman Benjo Basas.