A high school principal in South Cotabato was shot dead yesterday morning allegedly by a student whom he had expelled from school for grave misconduct.
The victim, Ricardo de la Cruz, principal of the Surallah National Agricultural School in Surallah, South Cotabato, died from three gunshot wounds while being treated at the Koronadal City Doctors’ Clinic and Hospital.
In a report to Camp Crame, Senior Superintendent Robert Kiunisala, South Cotabato police director, identified the suspect as Leonar Vargas, 18, who managed to escape after the incident.
Kiunisala quoted witnesses as saying that De la Cruz was walking near the gate of the school when Vargas, who was on board a bicycle, shot him three times. Lawmen found slugs from a caliber .45 pistol at the scene.
Kiuinsala said De la Cuz expelled Vargas from school last Aug. 29 for grave misconduct for breaking a window and also fined him P875.
Police are now hunting down Vargas. – Cecille Suerte Felipe