By LORIE ANN A. CASCARO
Davao Today
Hours before President Duterte arrived at the House of the Representatives on a white helicopter on Monday to deliver his second State of the Nation Address (Sona), children from the hinterlands in Mindanao, dressed in their tribal clothes, called on government to stop martial law at a nationwide protest.
“Martial law is hindering our education, our future,” said Beverly Gofredo, chairperson of Liga ng mga iskolar ng bayan, who is currently in Grade 12 at one of the Lumad schools in Mindanao.
In front of thousands of participants in the protest pegged as the People’s Sona, the children did a heartfelt performance through an a cappella of “Igpaw Mindanao” by Musikang Bayan. They have condemned the military presence nearby their schools have disrupted their classes.
Since the declaration of martial law on May 23, a school of Misfi has been closed down, Gofredo said. “The children are the real creators of history,” she said, adding that they simply want to finish their studies.
More than 300 children from different places in Mindanao, along with Lumad leaders, arrived at the government center on July 20 when they filed complaints for human rights violations against several officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
The non-profit Salug-pongan Ta Tanu Igkano-gon Community Learning Center, has been providing basic education to 2,000 learners with 42 community centers in Mindanao. The center has accused the military of violating “Constitutional rights for education, right of the child to protection from abuse and redress grievances.”
The indigenous people have camped at the University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City, while knocking at the government to hear their calls. (davaotoday.com)
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.
