Teacher dead, principal hurt in NCotabato ambush

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines  --- Gunmen shot dead a public school teacher and wounded a principal in an ambush at noontime Monday in Midsayap town in the province.

The fatality, 36-year-old Romy Valenzuela, a Grade III teacher in Nes Elementary School in Barangay Nes in Midsayap town, died on the spot from multiple gunshot wounds.

Valenzuela’s superior, the wounded school principal Farida Campaniel, was rushed to a hospital by responding barangay officials and policemen.

Investigators said the victims were riding a motorcycle together on their way home to the town proper of Midsayap from a meeting of teachers in a secluded district when their attackers flagged them down and opened fire.

The gunmen hurriedly fled riding motorcycles, leaving the  victims behind.

Investigators are still trying to determine the identities of the gunmen and their motive for the ambush.