DATU ODIN SINSUAT, Maguindanao del Norte — A former public school teacher who was serving as a Human Resource Management Officer (HRMO) in Maguindanao del Sur was shot dead Thursday night after an unidentified gunman opened fire on her while she was standing along a national highway in Barangay Awang, authorities said.
The victim was identified as Evangeline Pantorilla Abdullah, a resident of Sitio Kampilan, Barangay Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat. She was a former teacher at Cotabato City National High School-Main Campus and was reportedly serving as the HRMO of the municipality of Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao del Sur. She was also survived by her husband and children.
According to the Datu Odin Sinsuat Municipal Police Station (DOSMPS), the fatal shooting occurred at around 7:40 p.m. on Thursday, July 2, in Sitio Curbada, Barangay Awang.
Initial police investigation showed that Abdullah was standing beside the national highway when the suspect suddenly approached and fired multiple shots at her before fleeing toward an undetermined direction.
The victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds in different parts of her body.
She was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital by responders but was declared dead on arrival by attending physicians.
Police investigators processed the crime scene and recovered one fired cartridge case from a .45-caliber pistol, which will undergo forensic examination as part of the ongoing investigation.
Datu Odin Sinsuat Police Chief Major Katherine Paydoen, in an interview confirmed the incident and said investigators are working to establish the circumstances surrounding the attack.
Meanwhile, PEMS Mohalidin Bayao, chief investigator of the Datu Odin Sinsuat police, confirmed that Abdullah was currently serving as the HRMO of Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao del Sur, aside from her previous stint as a teacher.
Authorities have yet to identify the gunman or determine the motive behind the killing.
Police are currently reviewing available evidence, gathering witness statements, and conducting follow-up operations to identify and arrest the suspect.
The killing has shocked residents of Barangay Awang and members of the education sector, where Abdullah was known for her years of service before assuming her administrative role in local government.
As of this writing, investigators have not ruled out any possible motive, and the Philippine National Police assured the public that a thorough investigation is underway to bring the perpetrator to justice.