SENATOR Lito Lapid has strongly condemned the brutal killing of Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Sonatria Dandun Gaspar of the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education in Jolo, Sulu.

Gaspar was gunned down on Friday afternoon in an attack that has shocked the education sector and the local community.

Lapid emphasized the need for justice, stressing that such acts of violence against educators have no place in a civilized society.

“The victim deserves justice. The killing of our educators should never be tolerated. They are the ones shaping the future of our children,” the senator said in a statement.

He further pointed out that if the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao hopes to progress, violence—especially against public servants—must be stopped.

“If we want BARMM to develop, we must prevent these violent acts, especially against those who dedicate their lives to serving and educating our youth,” Lapid added.

Lapid called on the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that those responsible for Gaspar’s murder are held accountable.

He urged authorities to act swiftly in solving the case and strengthening security measures to protect educators in conflict-prone areas.

The senator also extended his condolences to the grieving family of the slain school official.

“My deepest sympathies to the family of Ma’am Sonatria. She was a true hero who dedicated her life to education,” Lapid said.

Initial reports from the Jolo Municipal Police Station revealed that an armed suspect entered Gaspar’s compound and shot her multiple times.

The perpetrator quickly fled the scene after the attack, and authorities are now conducting a manhunt to bring the suspect to justice.