Villanueva condoles with kin of slain teacher in Bulacan; calls for tighter security in schools

Senator Joel Villanueva on Thursday extended his condolences to the family of a teacher who was shot to death while holding class at Tambubong Elementary School in Bocaue, Bulacan.

The victim has been identified as Melody Esber, 33, a Grade 4 teacher. While the suspect, who took his life after shooting Esber, was identified as Ruperto Datwin, 40, an active member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) prior to his death.

"We express our deepest condolences to the family of Melody who was killed in a shooting incident inside a public school," said Villanueva who hails from Bocaue.

"Melody's death is truly heartbreaking. She was young and could have contributed more in the field of education," the senator added.

One of the students was also hit on the shoulder by a stray bullet and is now in stable condition.

Villanueva further called on the Department of Education (DepEd) and authorities to tighten the security in schools following the shooting incident.

"We urge the DepEd and the authorities to tighten the security in schools to ensure the safety of our students and teachers so that similar incident that happened to Melody will not be repeated," Villanueva stressed.