Rejected love may have been the reason why a member of the Philippine Army shot a teacher and himself in Miag-ao, Iloilo early Monday morning.

Private First Class John Rey Chiva, a member of the 82nd Infantry Batallion of the Philippine Army shot Sheryll Molase, 22, a volunteer teacher of Miag-ao West Central Elementary School in Brgy. Tabunacan, Miagao while she was preparing for their annual Brigada Eskwela school cleanup.

According to Molase's family, she is still at the intensive care unit of Iloilo St. Paul's Hospital but is already conscious and recovering.

However, they fear that she may lose her eyesight after the bullet, fired from a .45 caliber pistol, entered her right ear and exited on her left eyebrow.

Meanwhile, Chiva died.

Initial investigation revealed that Chiva was allegedly a suitor of the teacher. He went to the school to talk to Molase but when she slammed the door on him, he shot her.

Molase allegedly has a new suitor, a seaman, thus she rejected Chiva.

Meanwhile, Major Enrico Ileto, chief of the 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs Office said that Chiva was not part of any Brigada Eskwela contingent which the army is participating with other stakeholders at the area.

He also clarified that Chiva was not authorized by his superior at the 82nd IB to be in the said barangay where the incident happened.

"He was absent without Leave when he left his station that morning without permission," Ileto said.

Ileto also added that a soldier's competency for service is determined prior to his entry.

"Strict and competitive neuro and psychological tests are periodically conducted prior to entry to the service every year for officers, every three years for enlisted personnel and prior to their promotion," he added.

He also added that continuous peer counselling and mentoring through the soldier's chain of command are conducted.

Ileto also added that the Army will extend any help to the family of Molase.*