COTABATO CITY, Philippines — A high-ranking education official in Sulu was shot and killed in broad daylight on Friday, February 7, in Barangay San Raymundo, Jolo.
Brig. Gen. Romeo Juan Macapaz, director of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, confirmed on Saturday that Sonatria Dandun Gaspar, the assistant schools division superintendent of Sulu, died instantly after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds to the head.
As the province’s second-highest education official, Gaspar played a key role in Sulu’s academic administration.
Her remains were transported to Zamboanga City late Friday for immediate burial, in accordance with Islamic tradition, which calls for interment within 24 hours of death.
Gaspar was about to leave the fenced compound of her office on Bonifacio Street when an unidentified assailant approached, drew a pistol, and shot her multiple times in the head before fleeing the scene.
Macapaz has ordered the Jolo Municipal Police Station and Sulu Provincial Police Office to intensify efforts in identifying and prosecuting the perpetrator.