The teaching profession, though noble and fulfilling, often demands immense sacrifice from Filipino educators who, faced with low salaries, frequently seek opportunities abroad.

This exodus poses a serious threat to the quality of education for the nation’s youth, as acknowledged even by international reports.

Yet, for Daryl “Teacher Da” Bea, her calling was undeniably local, rooted in her passion for guiding students at BNG National High School in Bacacay, Albay, her alma mater.

Described by her students and peers as kind, soft-spoken, and infinitely patient—the ideal teacher—Daryl was a dedicated educator and alumna of the school.

Born on March 29, 1999, Daryl came from a simple but educated family. After obtaining her Bachelor of Education degree and licensure, she returned to her former school, teaching and mentoring her Grade 7 students.

Like many young professionals, she prioritized balance, ensuring time for hobbies and travel to unwind from the stresses of teaching.

The Last Goodbye

On the morning of November 14, 2024, the 25-year-old teacher told her mother she was leaving for Legazpi City.

Her mother, confident in Daryl’s ability to care for herself, happily consented, unaware that this joyful farewell would be the final time she saw her daughter alive.

Hours later, Daryl’s parents grew frantic when their calls and messages went unanswered—an uncharacteristic silence for the always-communicative teacher.

As the family desperately searched, a local resident in Barangay Misericordia stumbled upon a gruesome scene: a body, heavily wounded and lifeless, lying near the roadside.

Authorities from the Santo Domingo police, led by Captain Victor Borjal, quickly responded and confirmed the de@d individual was the victim of a violent crime.

The initial investigation identified the victim as a woman in her mid-20s who appeared to have suffered fatal wounds from a bladed weapon.

Following the tragic news, the Bea family rushed to the morgue and positively identified the victim as Daryl, plunging the family into unimaginable grief and anger.

Driven by the urgency of Mayor Joseling Agas Jr. of Santo Domingo, the investigation accelerated.

The autopsy revealed that Daryl had sustained multiple wounds, one of which was the primary cause of her de@th.

Significantly, the medical examiner noted defensive wounds on her hands, confirming that before her final breath, the teacher had fought fiercely against her assailant.

The Unstable Secret

Amidst the sorrow, a disturbing question circulated: why was Daryl found in Barangay Misericordia when she had told her mother she was going to Legazpi?

Some speculated that the gentle teacher might have been concealing a secret, perhaps a hidden relationship or personal destination she didn’t want to reveal.

This theory gained traction when witnesses reported seeing Daryl ride off on a motorcycle with a male driver who was wearing a helmet.

Daryl’s friends initially dismissed the idea of a boyfriend, describing the teacher as highly selective and often rejecting suitors, making the presence of a new companion highly improbable.

To swiftly resolve the case, a task force was formed, utilizing widespread security camera footage in the city.

Authorities quickly confirmed the witness accounts: on November 14, Daryl was indeed riding a motorcycle with a man wearing a helmet.

The final CCTV captures showed the pair heading toward the remote area where her body was later discovered.

When shown screenshots, Daryl’s mother confirmed the man’s identity: he was Ryan Karali (or Carale), a 28-year-old resident of Bacacay, and Daryl’s boyfriend of one month.

Suspicion against Karali intensified after investigators found a key piece of evidence near the crime scene: his black helmet, stained with blood believed to belong to Daryl.

Armed with this evidence, authorities quickly moved to his residence and arrested Karali on the evening of November 14.

His parents attempted to intervene, but Karali ultimately surrendered without struggle.

The Bea family was utterly devastated. Karali had presented himself as a kind, gentle, and well-behaved man during his courtship with Daryl.

They had been happy for Daryl, believing her selectivity had paid off with a seemingly decent partner from a respectable family.

The Precedent of Violence and the Insanity Defense

The shock turned to horror when authorities revealed the motive behind the tragedy—one rooted in Karali’s alleged unstable behavior and past violence—a history entirely unknown to Daryl and her family.

Using data from Daryl’s phone, investigators confirmed the couple was indeed heading to Legazpi City for a trip.

The police then dropped a staggering revelation: Ryan Karali was not only the suspect in Daryl’s recent de@th, but he was a repeat offender who had previously masterminded the de@th of his former girlfriend in 2019.

The first victim was identified as Jacqueline Siloña, a graduating student of Business Administration. Like Daryl, she was described as kind, gentle, and soft-spoken.

Jacqueline’s loss occurred on August 28, 2019. Investigation revealed Karali, a criminology graduate, had fetched her on his motorcycle.

A fierce argument erupted, reportedly triggered by Karali’s intense jealousy over other men around Jacqueline.

Overwhelmed by emotion, Karali attacked Jacqueline with a bladed weapon, wounding her repeatedly.

He then dragged her body to a dark roadside near her school before fleeing on his motorcycle. Jacqueline was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to her wounds.

Karali was initially apprehended after he voluntarily surrendered to the police, accompanied by his mother and sibling. He confessed to the authorities, admitting that jealousy had driven the brutal act.

However, the case, initially filed as homicide, did not proceed.

To the outrage of Jacqueline’s family, the charges against Karali were later dismissed/acquitted.

Reports from 2019 indicated that Karali’s defense attorney, supported by a psychiatrist and his family’s statements, successfully convinced the court that Karali was suffering from depression at the time of the crime.

His mental state was attributed to the profound disappointment of failing the physical assessment for police training, a long-held dream.

The defense successfully utilized the insanity defense, arguing that Karali was not in his right mind during the attack, which resulted in his acquittal and release.

Though his family promised to continue his treatment and mental health management, the failure of that system was laid bare by the subsequent tragic passing of Daryl.

It was revealed that since the 2019 incident, Karali’s family had actively worked to suppress news articles and photographs exposing his face, attempting to allow him to start a new life—a strategy that tragically enabled him to find and end a second life.

As of the current report, Ryan Karali is detained and awaiting trial for Daryl Bea’s de@th.

Due to the overwhelming evidence and his history, bail has been denied, a significant change from his previous case.

The Bea family now faces a harrowing legal battle, hoping that the court will finally recognize Karali’s instability as a permanent threat.

Their prayer is that, if not imprisoned, the judge orders Karali’s lifelong confinement to a mental health facility, ensuring he can never again claim a life by exploiting the devastating loophole of a failed justice system.