LANTAPAN, Bukidnon — A public school teacher was seriously injured after being allegedly attacked by a colleague using the stand of an electric fan inside the Balila Elementary School in Barangay Balila, Lantapan, on Wednesday morning, November 12, 2025.
The victim was identified as Rasel D. Molina, Officer-in-Charge/Teacher III, who sustained a severe head injury and was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.
According to the initial police investigation, the suspect, identified as Richbert John Bahalla, Teacher I, suddenly went on a rampage inside the school office around 9:30 a.m. after reportedly becoming enraged when his fingerprint was not accepted by the school’s biometric attendance system.
At the time, seven other teachers were inside the office when Bahalla allegedly began smashing school property, including glass items and other materials. He then grabbed the stand of an electric fan and used it to repeatedly strike and stab Molina, inflicting deep wounds on the victim’s head.
Following the attack, the suspect reportedly chased other teachers who ran for safety amid panic.
A responding policewoman was also struck during the commotion but was unharmed thanks to her bulletproof vest, which absorbed the blow from the fan stand.
Authorities later subdued Bahalla, who has since admitted his wrongdoing and apologized for the assault. He is now under the custody of the Lantapan Municipal Police Station pending further investigation and possible charges.
Meanwhile, the victim remains under medical care as colleagues and the local education department express shock over the violent incident that disrupted what was supposed to be an ordinary school day.
Police said a full investigation is underway to determine whether the suspect was suffering from emotional or psychological distress at the time of the attack.