DepEd to investigate death of teacher who passed away allegedly due to stress
The Davao de Oro division of the Department of Education (DepEd) is investigating the case of a teacher who died allegedly due to stress after being scolded by the school principal.
In a statement on Sept. 22, DepEd-Davao de Oro extended its deepest condolences to the family of Marjorie Espinosa Llanto-Bonto, who taught at Tibagon Elementary School in Panutukan North District.
“DepEd-Davao de Oro assures the public that it will thoroughly conduct an investigation on the cause of her death,” the agency said.
"We encourage everyone to pray for the repose of the soul of Mrs. Llanto-Banto. We also pray for the strength of the family during this most trying time of their life," it added.
Here's what we know so far about the incident.
Relative's retelling
Hannah Llanto, Marjorie's relative, shared photos of the latter's group chat with parents in a now-private post on Facebook. It has been picked up by several regional outlets, including DYVR RMN in Roxas, Capiz.
"Nabasa namin sa group chat nila linggo bago mamatay ang tiyahin ko," a Filipino translation of Hannah's caption read. "Sobrang dinibdib talaga ni Mommy ang nangyari sa kanya," she added with the hashtag #THE_TRUTH.
According to Hannah, Marjorie gave her students a math task a week before she passed away.
While she was checking papers, one of her students accidentally hit the chair while dancing, causing his head to bleed.
The student didn't get first aid as Marjorie allegedly had a fear of blood. He went home instead.
Later on, the student's mother went to the principal's office to complain, and that was when the principal allegedly gave Marjorie an earful.
Llanto said Marjorie messaged the group chat of parents, expressing her disappointment because, in her 30 years of teaching, it was the first time she received such treatment from the principal.
"Dear parents, nakukuwestiyon ang aking pagkaguro dahil sa kakulitan ng mga anak 'nyo," Marjorie said. "Muntik akong mamatay kahapon dahil hindi ko na matiis ang pang-iinsulto ni sir (principal) sa akin. Nuot hanggang buto ko."
She lamented how she exerted a lot of effort as a teacher but that it was invalidated because the children were unruly.
"Salamat at naging successful kayo. To the max ang sermon na natanggap ko na almost hindi na ako makahinga dahil sa sama ng loob," Marjorie said in the group chat. "Hindi ako nakatulog kagabi sa sobrang iyak ko. Hanggang ngayon na nagcha-chat ako sa inyo, umiiyak ako."
According to her relative, Marjorie hoped to discuss the incident with the mother first.
Already addressing the student's mother in the group chat, Marjorie questioned why she had to go to the principal's office.
"Narinig mo naman kung paano ako pinagalitan ni sir sa harap mo. Happy ka na?" Marjorie told the mother. "Lalo na nu’ng umalis ka na, mas grabe ‘yung sermon niya sa akin. Kaya hindi ko na nakaya ang lahat."
According to Marjorie, the incident discouraged her from teaching. Still, Marjorie said she'd move on from the incident and expressed her hope that there would be no similar incidents in the future.
"Magpatawaran na lang tayong lahat para gumanda ‘yung takbo ng ating buhay," she said. "Salamat sa pag-intindi sa akin."
But alas, Marjorie collapsed and eventually met her end.
Mother of injured student's perspective
Speaking to iFM 93.9 Davao, the mother of the said student recalled that her son's head had blood and a deep wound, though it wasn't noticeable at first because his hair was covering it.
"Kahit first aid, wala," she said, adding that she took a photo of his son's head and sent it to their group chat.
She got no response from anyone, so she sent another message mentioning Marjorie.
"After nu’n, 'di na ako naghintay na mayroon pang mag-reply," the mother said, adding that her son's classmate, who's also his cousin, was aware of the situation. The cousin said their other classmate used malunggay leaves to try to deal with the wound.
"Kaya nu’ng nalaman ko na sa classroom mismo nangyari, pinuntahan ko agad si ma’am," the mother said, countering what Marjorie had said about her going straight to the principal's office instead of approaching Marjorie first. "Kakalabas pa lang ng mga bata nu’n at naabutan ko pa siya sa classroom nakaupo, nagcecellphone."
She confirmed that her son got injured while dancing, noting his two classmates threatened to hit him if he didn't dance.
Her son's wound was treated in a public hospital and the next day, she went to the principal's office. "Gusto ko lang naman ng awareness sa eskuwelahan, sa principal, na malaman nila ‘yung nangyari," she said.
Principal discusses issue with teacher, student's mother
The principal, Alvin Escobar, reportedly summoned Marjorie to discuss the issue with the mother, who lamented why her son was sent home instead of getting immediate medical attention.
"Bilang isang magulang, nasaktan ako kasi okay lang pala ‘yun na ‘yung anak ko nasugatan sa loob mismo ng classroom tapos papauwiin lang," she said. "Ang rason niya ay tumigil na daw ‘yung pagdurugo. ‘Yan po mismo ang lumabas sa kaniyang bibig."
The mother said she didn't hear the principal cursing Marjorie nor see him pointing his finger at her, though she acknowledged that the principal reprimanded the teacher.
"Nu’ng nagharap na kami, siyempre, may mga nasabi din ‘yung principal kasi isa rin siya sa mga masisisi kasi sa eskuwelahan nangyari," she said. "Sinabihan siya na may kapabayaan siya."
According to the mother, the principal also asked why Marjorie didn't call her fellow teacher assigned to the school clinic for help.
Still, the mother and Marjorie said they had a peaceful conversation before the former left the principal's office.
But when she thought they had already settled things, Marjorie sent a series of lengthy messages in their group chat the next day.
"Akala ko naman nag-settle na kami at nagkapatawaran na," the mother said, "tapos du’n pa siya sa GC nag-reply about du’n sa mga tanong ko kung bakit nasugatan ang bata."
"Kaya ‘yun, bumalik na naman ako sa principal. Sabi ko sa principal, 'Akala ko, sir, nagsettle na kami? Bakit niya pa ako pinagsasabihan sa GC?'"
The principal advised the mother to leave the group chat, and told her that her son would be transferred to another section.
The principal also requested the mother not to make the issue bigger than it already is, though he asked her if she wants to elevate it to the district.
According to the student's mom, the doctor said if her son is vomiting and if the x-ray results show problems, a CT scan would be needed.
"Sabi ko, malalaman na lang ‘yan sa Monday kung isusumbong ko pa ba sa district. Pagdating ng Monday, okay naman ‘yung result kaya ‘di ko na pinaabot sa district pa," the mother said, adding the principal requested to see the results. She also asked the principal for financial assistance.
DepEd 11 spokesperson Jenielito Atillo, in a radio interview on Monday, Sept. 23, said that an investigation will also be conducted on the principal.
PhilSTAR L!fe has reached out to Banto's relatives, Escobar, and Atillo for more information, but has yet to receive a reply.