THE DEPARTMENT of Education denounced the killing of a public school principal by an unidentified gunman inside her house in Polangui, Albay on Wednesday.

The department sought justice for Beverly Cabaltera, 53, principal of the Pio Duran National High School.

Cabaltera is the wife of Sta. Elana Police chief Major Stephen Cabaltera.

Initial investigation showed that Cabaltera’s family members were awakened at around 3 a.m. by a gunshot from the principal’s bedroom.

Upon checking, they saw the victim lying unconscious on the floor near the window with a bullet wound on her neck.

She died while being taken to the Isip General Hospital.

“We condemn this act of violence against our teacher. We are deeply saddened of this tragic incident,” DepEd Region V said in a statement.

“As soon as we learned of the incident, we notified the Schools Division Superintendent of Albay to speak with the local authorities and possibly speak with the family of the victim so we could identify what immediate assistance we can extend,” it added.