The Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division Office of Nueva Ecija has condemned the shooting incident that occurred involving two individuals inside a classroom at Santa Rosa Integrated School.

On Thursday afternoon, August 7, a female grade 8 student was shot in the neck after a male grade 10 dropout entered her classroom carrying a gun in his waist. Following the shooting, the suspect turned the firearm on himself.

Both individuals are currently in critical condition after being transferred to the nearest hospital after the incident.

In a statement released by DepEd Nueva Ecija, the department emphasized that schools must be safe environments and that they will not tolerate any violent behavior within school premises.

"Schools must always be a haven for learners, teachers, and staff. Any act of violence within or near school grounds is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” the department stated online.

DepEd assures that the School Division Office (SDO) of Nueva Ecija is closely coordinating with the appropriate authorities for the investigation. They are also working with agencies to provide psychosocial support and critical stress debriefing to affected students and staff, aiming to restore the usual operations and continuity of learning in a safe and supportive environment.

DepEd Nueva Ecija is asking the public to remain calm and cooperate as they strive to ensure that every school remains a zone of peace.