NoCot teacher, robbed of motorbike, stoned, pushed into cliff, survives

COTABATO CITY – In her determination to survive, a public school teacher in Pigcawayan, North Cotabato escaped death after a violent attack by robbers Monday morning.Riza Montegrande-Moreno, a 38-year-old teacher and resident of Barangay Kabpangi, Pigcawayan was on her way to Payong-Payong Elmentary School-Annex, a primary school situated atop a mountain of Barangay Payong-Payong.PO1 Janeth Bueno, Pigcawayan PNP investigator on case, said Moreno has been regularly going to the far flung village teaching Grades 1 and 2 pupils.At 7:45 a.m. on Monday, Moreno was driving her motorbike along the uphill portion of the village when two men stopped her.Bueno said the suspects at first borrowed the motorbike from the teacher who, without hesitation, handed them the key. The suspects appeared to be familiar with the teacher.Suddenly, one of the suspects hit teacher Moreno with a stone on her head while the other pushed him into a 50 foot cliff. The two sped away with the victim’s motorbike.Shaken by the turn of event and still wobbly, Moreno slowly climbed her way up until another motorist passed by and rushed him to Garcesa hospital in Barangay Poblacion. She sustained head injuries and bruises on her hands and legs.Pigcawayan North District Supervisor Judy Aclaracion condemned the attack on Moreno and recommended she be given six month rehabilitation leave with pay.Dr. Allan Farnazo, DepEd 12 regional director, condemned the attack on Moreno and called on the police for speedy investigation so justice is served. (Edwin O. Fernandez)