The Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division of Davao de Oro launched an investigation into the death of a 58-year-old female teacher at Tibagon Elementary School in the north district of Pantukan.
DepEd Davao de Oro extended its condolences and said it would hold a dialogue on Tuesday, September 24, between the family of teacher Marjorie Espinosa Llanto-Boldo and school principal Alvin Escobar, who was reportedly blamed for her death.
“DepEd Davao de Oro assures the public that it will thoroughly conduct an investigation on the cause of her death. We encourage everyone to pray for the repose of Mrs. Llanto-Boldo. We also pray for the strength of the family during this most trying time of their life,” their statement read.
The teacher’s death, which was attributed to workplace stress and depression, drew mixed reactions online. According to her husband, veterinarian Celestino Boldo, she felt dejected for several days after taking serious insults from Escobar.
It started when a student of Mrs. Llanto-Boldo got injured while playing inside their classroom. The student’s mother complained directly to the principal about it. Escobar then approached the teacher and strongly rebuked her over the incident.
The confrontation apparently left deep emotional scars on the veteran school teacher. In one of the last messages she sent to a group chat with the parents of her students, Mrs. Llanto-Boldo disclosed feeling extremely hurt by the insults. She died in the hospital on September 19.
Majority of the netizens instantly sympathized with Mrs. Llanto-Boldo, who served the school and its students for 31 years. They said the principal and the student’s mother should have been more prudent with their words and actions.
The Llanto-Boldo family is demanding justice. DepEd Davao de Oro aims to resolve the conflict between the principal and the teacher’s family.
