THE DEPARTMENT of Education condemned the killing of a Grade 8 student in Agoncillo, Batangas who was shot in the head by a gunman.

“Ang ganitong uri ng hindi makataong gawain ay walang lugar sa ating mga komunidad, higit lalo sa kabataan na ating hinuhubog bilang tagapamayapa at tagapagsulong ng ating bayan,” DepEd said in a statement.

“Lubos naming ikinalulungkot ang walang pusong karahasan na ito sa ating mga mag-aaral. Gayundin, ang Kagawaran ay nananawagan sa mga lokal na awtoridad upang siguruhin na mabilis na mapananagot ang may gawa nito at agad na makamit ang hustisya.”

DepEd assured that students will have a child-friendly environment in schools, as the agency urged the authorities to strengthen measures for their security further to ensure the safety and protection of the youth inside and outside the schools.

According to the authorities, the student was walking on her way to school when the latter was shot in the head.

“‘Yun naman pong eskwelahan katapat lang po halos ng bahay nila. Noong papasok (ang) bata ho doon ho, biglang lumabas (ang) suspek, binaril niya po yung bata at after po nun tumakas,” Agoncillo Municipal Police Station Officer-In-Charge Police Major Broderick Noprada said.

The assailant of the 13-year-old female Grade 8 student remains at large.

Authorities reported that the suspect used a 9mm caliber firearm in the attack that happened while the victim was walking to school in Barangay Banyaga, Agoncillo.

PMAJ. Broderick Noprada, Officer-in-Charge of the Agoncillo Police Station, mentioned that locals initially mistook the assailant for an escort accompanying the student.

“For reasons unknown, the assailant opened fire on the child. People thought he was just escorting a student. One barangay watchman even exchanged greetings with the suspect, but he didn’t recognize him well,” Noprada stated.

Following the shooting, the suspect swiftly fled the scene on a motorcycle.

An ongoing investigation aims to uncover the motive behind this senseless act. “We are currently conducting a thorough investigation and pursuing leads. We are reviewing CCTV footage along the national road in Agoncillo,” Noprada confirmed.