LEGAZPI CITY, Albay – Suspected robbers shot and killed a 53-year-old high school principal in her house in Barangay Napo, Polangui, Albay before dawn on Wednesday, Oct. 12.
Lt. Col. Maria Luisa Calubaquib, Police Regional Office (PRO)-5 spokesperson, identified the victim as Beverly Ubante Cabaltera of Napoville Subdivision, Barangay Napo and principal of Pio Duran National High School in Pio Duran, Albay.
Police said Cabaltera’s family heard a gunshot followed by a loud thud inside the victim's bedroom at about 3 a.m.
Her son went to her room to check on his mother but saw her lying unconscious on the floor beside her bed near the window.
"The son of the victim called 911 seeking for police assistance regarding the incident. Immediately personnel of Polangui MPS were dispatched and upon investigation the family members narrated that they were awakened by the gunshot and loud noise they heard coming from their mother’s bedroom," Calubaquib said.
Cabaltera was taken to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
The suspects reportedly climbed the terrace of the house but the victim woke up and saw them and was shot.
Recovered from the crime scene was one empty cartridge from an unknown firearm.
Police are thoroughly probing the incident.
Calubaquib added police have gathered statements from neighbors as well as closed-circuit television footage footages in the area that would lead to the identification of the suspects.
The local government unit of Polangui led by Mayor Adrian Salceda condoled with the family of the victim.
"May justice be served and may her soul rest in peace," Salceda said in an Facebook post.