width=
- Advertisement -

MALAYBALAY CITY — After the Department of Education refused to heed calls for the pullout of government troops from schools for indigenous peoples in Southern Minda-nao, Gabriela Rep. Luzvi-minda Ilagan and other groups have taken the issue to leaders of the influential Roman Catholic Church.

In a statement, Ilagan said intensified military operations have disrupted the lives of the Lumad and the education of their children.

- Advertisement -

She said she has voiced these concerns in a dialogue with Archbishop Romulo Valles, vice president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines.

“Aquino’s Oplan Bayani-han and the Department of Education’s collusion with the military in its counter-insurgency operations have further deprived and impoverished indigenous communities. It is important for more sectors, specially the religious to express their support for the Lumads and their call to stop the attacks on Lumad schools,” she added.

The lawmaker cited in particular the closure of schools being operated by the Salugpungan ta Tanu Igkanugon Community Learning Center and Min-danao Interfaith Services Foundation Inc. (MISFI) Academy MISFI in Davao del Norte. Ilagan and other progressive groups blamed the closure of the Lumad schools on pressure from the military which they said branded these institutions as “training ground” of the New People’s Army.

She said that while DepEd has started reissuing permits, “it has imposed very stringent requirements on the Lumad schools and has continuously refused to revoke DepEd Memorandum 221 which allows military presence in schools.”

From July 7-9, the Save Our Schools Network has scheduled dialogues with national DepEd officials, members of the House of Representatives and the Senate, and the Commission on Human Rights. (MindaNews)

Disclaimer

Mindanao Gold Star Daily holds the copyrights of all articles and photos in perpetuity. Any unauthorized reproduction in any platform, electronic and hardcopy, shall be liable for copyright infringement under the Intellectual Property Rights Law of the Philippines.

- Advertisement -