A 56-year-old school principal was arrested in Abra after police linked him to the fatal shooting of a female teacher in Tayum, authorities said.

Police said the suspect was arrested after a court issued a warrant for his arrest. He was accused of shooting the teacher in Barangay Bumagcat on May 8, 2026.

According to investigators, the victim's husband identified the suspect because he survived the attack and recognized the gunman.

Acting Tayum Police Station chief, Capt. Cerel Gaspili, said the eyewitness identification became a key part of the investigation.

"Natukoy ang suspek sa pamamagitan ng kaniyang mister. Kasi siya ang nakakita sa suspek noong binaril sila… Paglabas ng kaniyang warrant, doon namin ikinasa 'yung paghuli sa kaniya," Gaspili said.

Police said their investigation showed that the suspect allegedly harbored resentment toward the victim after she reportedly planned to file a complaint against him.

According to police, the victim found out that the suspect allegedly had an inappropriate relationship with her 15-year-old daughter.

Gaspili said investigators learned that the alleged relationship reportedly began when the girl was only 12 years old.

"Gusto niyang kasuhan itong suspek… ayon sa nakuha naming impormasyon, 12 years old pa 'yung anak nila doon nag-umpisa 'yung relasyon nila," he said.

As of press time, police are identifying the motorcycle rider believed to have helped the suspect carry out the attack.

Authorities said the principal arrested was the top-ranked person on Abra's Top 10 Most Wanted list.

The victim's husband survived the shooting.