Pangandoy: The Manobo fight for land, education and their future from Hiyas on Vimeo.
Sunday, May 31, 2015
WATCH - New documentary on the Manobo fight for land, education, and their future
The military do not want lumads to be educated
Are you afraid of IPs getting an education?
By JOHN RIZLE L. SALIGUMBAJanuary 2, 2015
Year in Review
DAVAO CITY – Who’s afraid of educated indigenous peoples?
It seems men in uniform do.
IP schoolchildren, their parents and teachers decried the “pattern of abuses” committed by state security forces directed against their schools, in news events covered by Davao Today in 2014.
Late January last year, children’s advocates sounded off the alarm that troops belonging to the 25th Infantry Battalion occupied classrooms in a remote village in Compostela town.
Students, parents, teachers and staff of a campus of Salugpungan Ta ‘Tanu Igkanugon Community Learning Center Inc. (STTICLCI) in Sitio Side 4, Barangay Mangayon, Compostela were surprised when 36 soldiers barged in at 8am and “threatened teachers while calling their school an NPA (New People’s Army) school.”
Rius Valle of Children’s Rehabilitation Center slammed the incident saying it showed the “blatant disregard of the Army men to international instruments, the Constitution and laws protecting children.”
In a dialog he brokered with village leaders and officials of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said “it is clear” that “military encampment in a community is prohibited.”
For his part, then 10th ID Commanding Officer Maj. Gen. Ariel Bernardo made some distinction of soldiers in combat operations, saying he “cannot say that soldiers are prohibited in the community” as they are government troops, who are “merely passing by,” or “visiting” or in “encampment.”
Talaingod evacuation
In March, troops from the Army’s 1003rd Infantry Brigade “accosted” village teacher Roilan Licayan including 13 of his students and a barangay functionary in Talaingod, Davao del Norte.
Licayan said they were enroute to another village, in Sitio Panangan to get root crops and livestock in preparation for their school’s graduation.
Licayan said they were held for over an hour by the heavily armed soldiers who searched his personal belongings, read the messages on his phone, questioned his identity implying he was withholding information regarding the presence of NPA guerrillas.
Licayan said the soldiers’ line of questioning sounded like they doubt the school’s credibility, even asking what flag the school is using.
As military operations escalated in Talaingod, school administrators decided to close the school temporarily as over a thousand residents of several villages in Barangay Palma Gil and Barangay Dagohoy left their communities for safety.
The Talaingod Manobos went to Davao City and sought sanctuary in a protestant Bishop’s house for over a month. They struck a deal with local government and military officials to return home once their villages are freed from military troops.
IP pupils resumed school and went on with their graduation rites late in the summer.
Teody Mansimuy-at, also a Salugpongan leader, went back to Davao City in May, complaining that soldiers only “left for less than a month but new Army units are now building up again.”
“They’ve started to occupy a DepEd (Department of Education) school,” he said.
Fanatic IPs
In August, classes of the Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation Inc. (MISFI) Academy were halted as parents and schoolchildren feared Army troops belonging to 60th IB and 68th IB which begun their operations in Sitio Kapatagan, Barangay Gupitan, Kapalong, Davao del Norte.
Alamara, an anti-communist fanatical group formed by former Task Force Davao Chief Brig. Gen. Eduardo del Rosario in 2001, waged a pangayaw (tribal war) against the NPAs in the areas of Davao del Norte and Davao City.
The IPs belonging to Karadyawan slammed Alamara saying it targetted civilians and disrupted their schools.
The dialogue was aborted as organizers said Alamara members intended to ambush their contingent.
School staff, advocates targetted
Early October, a support group organizer of Karadyawan survived a slay attempt in Tagum City.
Lito Sampag, spokesperson of Karadyawan said “the slay attempt against Dennis Selebrado aims to break our unity and to destroy Karadyawan as an organization. Dennis helped us in every step of the way, even in looking for sponsors for supplies and technical needs of the schools.”
Last October 16, authorities at a PNP-Army checkpoint arrested an alleged NPA leader, Dominiciano Muya at around 1:45 pm last October 16 in Barangay Mankilam, Tagum City.
STTILCI decried the arrest saying Muya was not an NPA but an agriculturist who worked for their schools.
Muya was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest docketed as Criminal Case Nr 2252 for the crimes of robbery with double homicide and damage to properties and Criminal Case Nr 20162/20163 for the crimes of multiple murder and double frustrated murder.
Sister Marisol Huertas and Brother Edgardo Campos who are both members of Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP)-Southern Mindanao Coordinating Body, said that on the day Muya was arrested, “he was canvassing for construction materials for the school’s construction.”
“He was a consultant for sustainable agriculture program of RMP-Southern Mindanao in 2003 and became a staff in 2007 managing the sustainable agriculture program and school construction upon the establishment of the Salugpongan Ta’ Tanu Igkanogon Community Learning Center in the same year which is assisted by RMP Southern Mindanao,” said the RMP in a statement.
More harassment
In October, 68th IB soldiers allegedly indiscriminately fired at two elementary schools in Talaingod.
According to residents, drunken soldiers went berserk and fired a volley of shots from 6:30 to 7 pm and at 9 pm last October 11.
Arsen Sumeg-ang, a brother from the Missionaries of Jesus and an Igorot, said “salute your elders for enduring the sacrifices to give you education and a good future. You too must endure the sacrifices for the generations to come as your struggle has not yet ended, it will be more difficult and perhaps will also be bloodier.” (davaotoday.com)
Saturday, May 30, 2015
Lumad schools got the support of Congressman Ridon
Dear Diary,
Nagpapasalamat ako kay Congressman Terry Ridon dahil sa kanyang pagiging boses ng mga lumad sa Mindanao. Sobrang tindi na talaga ng militarisasyon na nararanasan ng mga kapatid nating Manobo sa Talaingod. Dagdag pa dyan ang mga Manobo sa Kapalong na dinadahas na rin ng bandidong grupong Alamara na inaarmasan naman ng militar. Salamat at may mga natitira pang kinatawan sa Congress tulad ni Ridon na laging handang ipagtanggol ang mga inaapi ng estado.
Nagpapasalamat,
Che
May 30, 2015
MANILA, Philippines -- An activist lawmaker blasted the Department of Education over the weekend for backing the closure of three hinterland schools for the Ata-Manobo tribe in Talaingod, Davao del Norte and their replacement with a high school where the teachers will be soldiers.
Kabataan party-list Representative Terry Ridon, in a statement released Saturday, cited a May 12 letter from Davao del Norte schools superintendent Josephine Fadul to DepEd Region 11 diector Alberto Escobarte recommending the closure of the Salugpungan Ta Tanu Igkanunon schools.
“Should this request for the closure of the said schools be granted, in its stead, this Division requests permission to implement the creation of a public high school in Butay, Talaingod utilizing military personnel as para-teachers as has been previously discussed and agreed upon during our meeting with the Regional Intelligence Committee at NEAP last 23 April 2015,” Fadul said in the letter.
Earlier, the Save our Schools Network raised the alarm over the impending closure of the learning centers amid allegations by Ata-Manobo leaders that the military had ordered them to burn the schools and kill the teachers for supposedly being communist rebel “fronts.”
Last year, hundreds of Ata-Manobo from Talaingod also fled their homes because of what they said was the militarization of their communities.
“Contrary to what Dr. Fadul claims, the tribal schools in Talaingod were built by missionaries and non-profit organizations to serve lumad children. These educational institutions are in fact the only schools that strive to provide education in these far-flung areas, areas long neglected by both the local and national government. Closing these schools mean closing opportunities for these children,” Ridon said.
As for recommending the deployment of military “para-teachers,” Ridon said this goes “against several resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and national laws which discourage -- if not prohibit --military entry in schools.”
The lawmaker also said another lumad school in Sitio Muling, Barangay Gupitan, Kapalong, also in Davao del Norte, would not open this school year because of alleged threats by the paramilitary “Alamara.”
Set up by the non-profit group Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation Inc., Ridon said the school, “which can only be reached through a two-day walk,” is the only one that serves the remote area.
“We denounce these systematic attacks against tribal schools that only aim to extend education to lumad children. How can the Aquino administration sleep at night knowing that children in these remote areas are being deprived of basic education because of heavy militarization?” Ridon asked.
He also said the continued “militarization” of schools broke a promise made by Education Secretary Armin Luistro in December to take “concrete steps” to address the issue.
“Back in December, you promised to look into the issue of militarization of lumad schools. But look what’s happening now -- we even have a division superintendent who is recommending the construction of a military-run public school. It’s totally absurd!” Ridon told Luistro.
The youth representative said he is filing a resolution on Monday to investigate the militarization and closure of the tribal schools, which will include on onsite probe.
“We cannot investigate such grave reports in the comfort of the halls of the House of Representatives. For our legislators to grasp the gravity of the situation, we need to investigate these reports in the affected areas,” he said.
Nagpapasalamat ako kay Congressman Terry Ridon dahil sa kanyang pagiging boses ng mga lumad sa Mindanao. Sobrang tindi na talaga ng militarisasyon na nararanasan ng mga kapatid nating Manobo sa Talaingod. Dagdag pa dyan ang mga Manobo sa Kapalong na dinadahas na rin ng bandidong grupong Alamara na inaarmasan naman ng militar. Salamat at may mga natitira pang kinatawan sa Congress tulad ni Ridon na laging handang ipagtanggol ang mga inaapi ng estado.
Nagpapasalamat,
Che
Lawmaker blasts DepEd for backing closure of tribal schools, fielding of troops as teachers
By Interaksyon.comMay 30, 2015
Kabataan party-list Representative Terry Ridon, in a statement released Saturday, cited a May 12 letter from Davao del Norte schools superintendent Josephine Fadul to DepEd Region 11 diector Alberto Escobarte recommending the closure of the Salugpungan Ta Tanu Igkanunon schools.
“Should this request for the closure of the said schools be granted, in its stead, this Division requests permission to implement the creation of a public high school in Butay, Talaingod utilizing military personnel as para-teachers as has been previously discussed and agreed upon during our meeting with the Regional Intelligence Committee at NEAP last 23 April 2015,” Fadul said in the letter.
Earlier, the Save our Schools Network raised the alarm over the impending closure of the learning centers amid allegations by Ata-Manobo leaders that the military had ordered them to burn the schools and kill the teachers for supposedly being communist rebel “fronts.”
Last year, hundreds of Ata-Manobo from Talaingod also fled their homes because of what they said was the militarization of their communities.
“Contrary to what Dr. Fadul claims, the tribal schools in Talaingod were built by missionaries and non-profit organizations to serve lumad children. These educational institutions are in fact the only schools that strive to provide education in these far-flung areas, areas long neglected by both the local and national government. Closing these schools mean closing opportunities for these children,” Ridon said.
As for recommending the deployment of military “para-teachers,” Ridon said this goes “against several resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and national laws which discourage -- if not prohibit --military entry in schools.”
The lawmaker also said another lumad school in Sitio Muling, Barangay Gupitan, Kapalong, also in Davao del Norte, would not open this school year because of alleged threats by the paramilitary “Alamara.”
Set up by the non-profit group Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation Inc., Ridon said the school, “which can only be reached through a two-day walk,” is the only one that serves the remote area.
“We denounce these systematic attacks against tribal schools that only aim to extend education to lumad children. How can the Aquino administration sleep at night knowing that children in these remote areas are being deprived of basic education because of heavy militarization?” Ridon asked.
He also said the continued “militarization” of schools broke a promise made by Education Secretary Armin Luistro in December to take “concrete steps” to address the issue.
“Back in December, you promised to look into the issue of militarization of lumad schools. But look what’s happening now -- we even have a division superintendent who is recommending the construction of a military-run public school. It’s totally absurd!” Ridon told Luistro.
The youth representative said he is filing a resolution on Monday to investigate the militarization and closure of the tribal schools, which will include on onsite probe.
“We cannot investigate such grave reports in the comfort of the halls of the House of Representatives. For our legislators to grasp the gravity of the situation, we need to investigate these reports in the affected areas,” he said.
Friday, May 29, 2015
Put the education of the children at the center of this
Ronnie Garcia, basic education head of the Salugpungan Ta Ta’nu Igkanugon Learning Center Incorporated (STTILCI), said “it is clear to the community that the Army is working hard for the closure of the schools as part of the so-called Peace and Development Outreach Program under Oplan (operation plan) Bayanihan.”
Garcia said the Salugpungan schools are being “targeted because these are symbols of the communities’ unbreakable resolve to battle against discrimination and exploitation of their ancestral domain by mining and logging companies by means of education”.
May. 29, 2015
Davao Today
DAVAO CITY – The recent moves to close several schools of an indigenous people’s organization in Davao del Norte serve the insurgency campaign of the Army, said school administrators.
Ronnie Garcia, basic education head of the Salugpungan Ta Ta’nu Igkanugon Learning Center Incorporated (STTILCI), said “it is clear to the community that the Army is working hard for the closure of the schools as part of the so-called Peace and Development Outreach Program under Oplan (operation plan) Bayanihan.”
“The latest incident under their (Army) concept of peace and development is telling IP leaders in Sitio Tibukag (Talaingod, Davao del Norte) to burn the schools and to kill the teachers as the schools are owned by the NPA (New People’s Army rebels),” said Garcia.
Garcia said that Army officers “have been talking to tribal councils in various levels to convince them to close the schools.”
“Army troops who are now in communities tell and threaten parents not to let their children attend classes and enroll,” said Garcia.
Garcia said the Salugpungan schools are being “targeted because these are symbols of the communities’ unbreakable resolve to battle against discrimination and exploitation of their ancestral domain by mining and logging companies by means of education”.
“The communities, the parents, the students and the school are civilians but they now became the target of the insurgency operations of the government,” he said.
First Lieutenant Christyn Joan Pamplona, officer-in-charge spokesperson of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, said the allegations are “recycled” and that the Talaingod Tribal Councils has recommended the closing of the Salugpungan schools.
Pamplona showed a powerpoint presentation of a letter by the Davao del Norte Division of the Department of Education (DepEd) “recommending the closure of Salugpungan.”
The letter, signed by Dr. Josephine Fadul, schools division superintendent, said she has received a document from the Office of the Talaingod Municipal Tribal Council of Elders “emphasizing its request/stand for the temporary closure of the schools operated by STTICLC.”
The letter said the tribal council also calls for the “investigation, reinspection and reevaluation of the said schools in terms of performance in providing efficient, quality and relevant educational services consistent with DepEd and National Education policies, plans and standards.”
Fadul said in the letter it is the regional Director, Atty. Alberto Escobarte, who is mandated to take “appropriate action” on the matter as per their 2010 Revised Manual of Regulation for Private Schools.
Fadul said should the request for the closure of the schools be granted, “the Division requests permission to implement the creation of a public high school in Butay, Talaingod utilizing military personnel as para-teachers.”
Fadul said that the use of military para-teachers “has been agreed upon during our meeting with the Regional Intelligence Committee” last April 23, 2015.
Lolit Casagda, school administrator of STTILCI, said that they have not received official communications from the DepEd on the allegations against them.
Casagda said that it was only Thursday that she was able to have a copy of the said letter of Fadul and that there was no attachment of the tribal council’s request.
“The tribal council did not also call our attention that they have complaints. We have been denied of due process in all this,” said Casagda.
Casagda said they have been closely coordinating with the tribal council, local government officials and offices and the DepEd since 2004.
“We have tried hard to comply with all the requirements set by the local government and the Deped even if some of it was not fit for an AP school like an electrical permit yet the school have no electricity,” she said.
Casagda said they were only able to comply with all the requirements to operate the schools in 2007 and have abided with yearly renewals.
“Our permit to operate will expire in July (2015) and we are on the process of renewing it. We have not violated any policy or laws yet Fadul directly endorsed it to the regional office without giving us due notice,” she said.
Casagda said they even have an ongoing project with the DepEd national office which recently made an inspection of the schools.
“The DepEd national donated a building in our school in (Sitio) Dulyan (Barangay Palma Gil, Talaingod),” she said.
Casagda also said they have submitted their annual curriculum for the scrutiny of the DepEd Division and have contributed to IP Curriculum being developed by the DepEd National Office.
Casagda said that the schools run STTILCI was requested by Salugpungan, the organization of the Talaingod Manobos and was only facilitated by the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines.
“As far as we are concerned, the biggest stakeholder is the Salugpungan itself, whether they want the schools closed down or not because it is them who requested it. The DepEd must also consult them whether they like to have Army personnel as para-teachers or not,” said Casagda.
Casagda said the provincial government of Davao del Norte called for a dialogue last April 6 where the Army attended to sort out the complaints of Salugpungan on the attack on schools.
“There are complaints because there are really harassments on the ground and the tribal council should have gone to the areas to see it for themselves, and have acted to stop it but nothing happened, now this,” she said.
She said she have also attended all the inquiries of the local government, the last of which was June of last year.
“However, in April of 2014, the militarization started. The Army entered in all of the communities, according to residents, harassed and threatened them,” she said.
Casagda said the converging point of the evacuating residents was Sitio Nasilaban where they took shelter in a Salugpungan school after walking for days.
“This is when the Army started to harass us and accused us of leading and organizing the evacuation of the people. But, how can we possibly do that where in fact it was the Salugpungan leadership of the Datus who made the decision,” she said.
Casagda said that since then, the accusations that they are a school owned by the communists and that they are supporting NPA guerrillas began.
“That is when the tribal council members and the local government acted as if we have not known each other for years and that they have not monitored STTILCI’s status,” she said.
Casagda said they also have continuously improved the skills and trainings of teachers and have encouraged teacher-aides to take the Licensure Exam for Teachers as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, Garcia said the attack on schools “is depriving children of their right to development and to have a better life by having an education.”
“I doubt that the DepEd would be able to serve the Manobos if they close down the Salugpungan schools, they have not done so for so many years. The move will again deny the IP children education,” he said.
In a statement, Benjie Valbuena, Alliance of Concerned Teachers national chairman, said “Dr. Fadul is a big disgrace for the education department.”
“Instead of recognizing and appreciating the big help of the STTICLC is doing, Dr. Fadul instead allowed herself to be used by the military and other armed groups of the state in their continuing attack and abuses,” he said.
“Her action in favor of the human rights abusers shows that she is not yet satisfied with her inutility to provide state school for the residents. Dr. Fadul should immediately vacate her position. DepEd is for educators not for military and human rights abuser,” said Valbuena.
Casagda appealed to the DepEd, whom she addressed as “co-educators” to be “professional in handling this situation.”
“We appeal that they put the education of the children at the center of this,” he said.
Salugpungan Datus and school officials and their support groups under the Save Our School (SOS) Network said they will “demand” a dialogue with officials of the DepEd today.(davaotoday.com)
Garcia said the Salugpungan schools are being “targeted because these are symbols of the communities’ unbreakable resolve to battle against discrimination and exploitation of their ancestral domain by mining and logging companies by means of education”.
Moves to close IP schools insurgency-ops motivated, says group
By JOHN RIZLE L. SALIGUMBAMay. 29, 2015
Davao Today
DAVAO CITY – The recent moves to close several schools of an indigenous people’s organization in Davao del Norte serve the insurgency campaign of the Army, said school administrators.
Ronnie Garcia, basic education head of the Salugpungan Ta Ta’nu Igkanugon Learning Center Incorporated (STTILCI), said “it is clear to the community that the Army is working hard for the closure of the schools as part of the so-called Peace and Development Outreach Program under Oplan (operation plan) Bayanihan.”
“The latest incident under their (Army) concept of peace and development is telling IP leaders in Sitio Tibukag (Talaingod, Davao del Norte) to burn the schools and to kill the teachers as the schools are owned by the NPA (New People’s Army rebels),” said Garcia.
Garcia said that Army officers “have been talking to tribal councils in various levels to convince them to close the schools.”
“Army troops who are now in communities tell and threaten parents not to let their children attend classes and enroll,” said Garcia.
Garcia said the Salugpungan schools are being “targeted because these are symbols of the communities’ unbreakable resolve to battle against discrimination and exploitation of their ancestral domain by mining and logging companies by means of education”.
“The communities, the parents, the students and the school are civilians but they now became the target of the insurgency operations of the government,” he said.
First Lieutenant Christyn Joan Pamplona, officer-in-charge spokesperson of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, said the allegations are “recycled” and that the Talaingod Tribal Councils has recommended the closing of the Salugpungan schools.
Pamplona showed a powerpoint presentation of a letter by the Davao del Norte Division of the Department of Education (DepEd) “recommending the closure of Salugpungan.”
The letter, signed by Dr. Josephine Fadul, schools division superintendent, said she has received a document from the Office of the Talaingod Municipal Tribal Council of Elders “emphasizing its request/stand for the temporary closure of the schools operated by STTICLC.”
The letter said the tribal council also calls for the “investigation, reinspection and reevaluation of the said schools in terms of performance in providing efficient, quality and relevant educational services consistent with DepEd and National Education policies, plans and standards.”
Fadul said in the letter it is the regional Director, Atty. Alberto Escobarte, who is mandated to take “appropriate action” on the matter as per their 2010 Revised Manual of Regulation for Private Schools.
Fadul said should the request for the closure of the schools be granted, “the Division requests permission to implement the creation of a public high school in Butay, Talaingod utilizing military personnel as para-teachers.”
Fadul said that the use of military para-teachers “has been agreed upon during our meeting with the Regional Intelligence Committee” last April 23, 2015.
Lolit Casagda, school administrator of STTILCI, said that they have not received official communications from the DepEd on the allegations against them.
Casagda said that it was only Thursday that she was able to have a copy of the said letter of Fadul and that there was no attachment of the tribal council’s request.
“The tribal council did not also call our attention that they have complaints. We have been denied of due process in all this,” said Casagda.
Casagda said they have been closely coordinating with the tribal council, local government officials and offices and the DepEd since 2004.
“We have tried hard to comply with all the requirements set by the local government and the Deped even if some of it was not fit for an AP school like an electrical permit yet the school have no electricity,” she said.
Casagda said they were only able to comply with all the requirements to operate the schools in 2007 and have abided with yearly renewals.
“Our permit to operate will expire in July (2015) and we are on the process of renewing it. We have not violated any policy or laws yet Fadul directly endorsed it to the regional office without giving us due notice,” she said.
Casagda said they even have an ongoing project with the DepEd national office which recently made an inspection of the schools.
“The DepEd national donated a building in our school in (Sitio) Dulyan (Barangay Palma Gil, Talaingod),” she said.
Casagda also said they have submitted their annual curriculum for the scrutiny of the DepEd Division and have contributed to IP Curriculum being developed by the DepEd National Office.
Casagda said that the schools run STTILCI was requested by Salugpungan, the organization of the Talaingod Manobos and was only facilitated by the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines.
“As far as we are concerned, the biggest stakeholder is the Salugpungan itself, whether they want the schools closed down or not because it is them who requested it. The DepEd must also consult them whether they like to have Army personnel as para-teachers or not,” said Casagda.
Casagda said the provincial government of Davao del Norte called for a dialogue last April 6 where the Army attended to sort out the complaints of Salugpungan on the attack on schools.
“There are complaints because there are really harassments on the ground and the tribal council should have gone to the areas to see it for themselves, and have acted to stop it but nothing happened, now this,” she said.
She said she have also attended all the inquiries of the local government, the last of which was June of last year.
“However, in April of 2014, the militarization started. The Army entered in all of the communities, according to residents, harassed and threatened them,” she said.
Casagda said the converging point of the evacuating residents was Sitio Nasilaban where they took shelter in a Salugpungan school after walking for days.
“This is when the Army started to harass us and accused us of leading and organizing the evacuation of the people. But, how can we possibly do that where in fact it was the Salugpungan leadership of the Datus who made the decision,” she said.
Casagda said that since then, the accusations that they are a school owned by the communists and that they are supporting NPA guerrillas began.
“That is when the tribal council members and the local government acted as if we have not known each other for years and that they have not monitored STTILCI’s status,” she said.
Casagda said they also have continuously improved the skills and trainings of teachers and have encouraged teacher-aides to take the Licensure Exam for Teachers as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, Garcia said the attack on schools “is depriving children of their right to development and to have a better life by having an education.”
“I doubt that the DepEd would be able to serve the Manobos if they close down the Salugpungan schools, they have not done so for so many years. The move will again deny the IP children education,” he said.
In a statement, Benjie Valbuena, Alliance of Concerned Teachers national chairman, said “Dr. Fadul is a big disgrace for the education department.”
“Instead of recognizing and appreciating the big help of the STTICLC is doing, Dr. Fadul instead allowed herself to be used by the military and other armed groups of the state in their continuing attack and abuses,” he said.
“Her action in favor of the human rights abusers shows that she is not yet satisfied with her inutility to provide state school for the residents. Dr. Fadul should immediately vacate her position. DepEd is for educators not for military and human rights abuser,” said Valbuena.
Casagda appealed to the DepEd, whom she addressed as “co-educators” to be “professional in handling this situation.”
“We appeal that they put the education of the children at the center of this,” he said.
Salugpungan Datus and school officials and their support groups under the Save Our School (SOS) Network said they will “demand” a dialogue with officials of the DepEd today.(davaotoday.com)
I dream of being a teacher to my fellow lumads
Dear Diary,
Ang hindi ko maintindihan, bakit pinag-iinitan ng military ang eskwelahan ng mga lumad? Nagpapatunay ba ito na wala talagang ibang hangad ang estadong ito kundi panalitihing mangmang ang mga lumad para madali silang lokohin upang maibenta lang sa mga dayuhan ang mga minerales at iba pang likas-yaman sa kanilang ancestral domain?
Bakit tatawaging mga rebelde ang mga teachers na piniling maglingkod sa mga katutubong matagal ng pinagkaitan ng gobyerno ng serbisyong sosyal? Dahil ba sila ay komokontra sa agos ng burgis na kulturang ang gustong palaganapin ay indibidwalismo? Hindi ba dapat pa ngang purihin ang mga teachers na ito dahil sa kanilang sakripisyo para sa mga lumad?
Bakit ganito ang gobyerno ni Aquino?
Nagtatanong,
Che
May 26, 2015
Mindanao Times
Del Norte lumads ‘move up’ in city
LIFE has become a constant battle for the Ata-Manobo children of Gupitan, Kapalong, Davao del Norte.
Through sounds of war nearby, the quiet community has become a witness to skirmishes between soldiers and NPA rebels, with explosions easily mistaken for bombs that threatened their homes.
For people so used to silence, the sound of firepower raining down from helicopters to ground targets scar not only ground but also memory.
In April last year, hundreds of lumads from Davao del Norte escaped to the city and demanded the pullout of military troops stationed to fend off an insurgency, dating back decades, at the hinterlands.
A year later, the lumads would once again seek the sanctuary of the nearby city, as the battlegrounds have encroached their school grounds.
Incoming Grade 6 student Alvin, 17, feared that he might lose his dreams. His teachers, he said, were driven away by a militarization in their community.
“Ang akong damgo sa kinabuhi kay mahimong maestro para makatabang sa mga laing lumad (I dream of being a teacher to my fellow IPs),” Alvin said. “Pa-unsa nalang nako pagkab-ot sa akong damgo kung ila ming gina-babagan? (But how do I get there when they stop us from doing so?)”
According to Alvin, paramilitary group Alamara has been on the hunt for NPA sympathizers in the area, tagging even children who were on their way to school.
The pupils from the school have been reportedly blocked by elements of the AFP from attending their moving up ceremony because of being suspected as NPA members.
And so they sought the comfort of another city.
Alvin is one of around 200 pupils from Kapalong town participating in the Moving Up Ceremony held at Almendras Gym yesterday afternoon.
The students decided to hold the ceremony here, prevented on their own turf from shifting from one school grade to another.
No answers
Save Our Schools (SOS) network said that the Department of Education in Davao Region has not answered their complaint against the AFP in connection to the alleged series of attacks on schools in Davao del Norte.
Rius Valle, spokesperson of SOS, earlier said they filed a complaint since the military has violated Republic Act 7610 or the “The Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.”
He cited that “public infrastructure such as schools, hospitals and rural health units shall not be utilized for military purpose such as command post, barracks, detachments, and supply depots.”
On the defensive
However, Lt. Vergel Lacambra, information officer of 10th infantry Division, dismissed the allegations of the SOS.
“There is no truth in allegations of the Save Our Schools (SOS) against our soldiers,” said Lacambra, adding that “The Municipal Tribal Council of Elders memorandums for the closure of Salugpongan Ta’Tanu Igkanogon Community Learning Center (STTICLC) in Talaingod dated 25 April 2015 and 04 May 2015 have affirmed the perilous teachings of the school to the pupils.”
“It is sad to note that the former students who become victims of deceptions and witnesses of the school revealed that they were being indoctrinated to revolt against the government by joining the rebels,” Lacambra said.
Lacambra cited that on April 23, Dr. Josephine L Fadul, the School Division Superintendent of the Department of Education of Davao del Norte recommended implementing the closure of the STTICLC and the creation of a public high school in Butay, Talaingod as agreed during the Regional Intelligence Committee meeting.
“The right of education is the primary concern of our youth today. This is our common demand which we have to work into, giving the “right” education for our children: our soldiers are actively participating in the alternative learning system (ALS) of the government, Brigada Eskwela, project shoebox, and mini-library programs for children. We are your legitimate Army and we are not capable of harming our children,” Lacambra said.
Schoolground access, but…
Department of Education regional director Alberto Escobarte said Monday that the complaint of the schools in Talaingod had not yet reached his office.
The regional director admitted, however, that military personnel were allowed to hold meetings within school facilities.
He requested the personnel to leave their firearms outside the property so that the pupils would not be scared off by their presence.
This was not the first time that residents from Talaingod have complained about alleged military abuses in their own hometown.
In April last year, hundreds of Manobos evacuated from Talaingod to Davao City, fearing they would get caught in the crossfire between the AFP and the NPA.
The Manobos camped out at the UCCP Haran property, at Fr. Selga street, and demanded the military pullout from several hamlets in the area.
MindaNews reported that these were 10 sitios, namely Bayabas, Sazo, Pong-pong, Nasilaban, Dulyan, Nalubas, Bagang, Lasakan, Sambolongan and Bogni.
AFP troops reportedly camped out at several schools in the area, allegedly disrupting classes and scaring away teachers and students alike from holding classes.
The local governments of both Davao City and Davao del Norte eventually stepped in, with Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte speaking with representatives from the schools as well as members of the military.
Duterte warned military personnel to stay away from the schools and guaranteed he would personally intervene if he hears another report of troopers using the schools as encampments.
Duterte and Davao del Norte governor Rodolfo del Rosario, meanwhile, coordinated the return of the bakwits to their homes, weeks later and after much convincing from the government here.
During their brief campout in the city, the City Health Office and City Social Services and Development Office here reported there were instances of sickness during the encampment as hundreds of families, their pets and farm animals included, huddled inside tight tents awaiting help from those who would give it.
“The indigenous people have been neglected,” Gabriela Partylist representative Luz Ilagan said at yesterday’s Kapehan sa SM. “Save our Schools is really a campaign to draw attention to the deprived indigenous children.”
According to teacher Ricky Balilid, they were sent to Gupitan to teach the children in Sitio Muling. However, they were accused by the AFP personnel that they were teachers of the rebels, too.
“We have been harrased and threatened,”Balilid said.
At least 50 students dropped out from last year’s head count by the end of the academic year after reports of harassment from military troops.
From 188 enrollees at one of the schools, at the end of the year, the number would drop to 131.
The lumads have started trickling into the city seeking shelter since April this year. Along the way, some of them have held concerts lamenting the situation in the uplands.
According to Alvin, this, too, was a more welcome alternative. What better sound indeed was there to hear than the symphonies of music instead of the noises of war?
Ang hindi ko maintindihan, bakit pinag-iinitan ng military ang eskwelahan ng mga lumad? Nagpapatunay ba ito na wala talagang ibang hangad ang estadong ito kundi panalitihing mangmang ang mga lumad para madali silang lokohin upang maibenta lang sa mga dayuhan ang mga minerales at iba pang likas-yaman sa kanilang ancestral domain?
Bakit tatawaging mga rebelde ang mga teachers na piniling maglingkod sa mga katutubong matagal ng pinagkaitan ng gobyerno ng serbisyong sosyal? Dahil ba sila ay komokontra sa agos ng burgis na kulturang ang gustong palaganapin ay indibidwalismo? Hindi ba dapat pa ngang purihin ang mga teachers na ito dahil sa kanilang sakripisyo para sa mga lumad?
Bakit ganito ang gobyerno ni Aquino?
Nagtatanong,
Che
Education woes
By Ma. Cecilia BadianMay 26, 2015
Mindanao Times
Del Norte lumads ‘move up’ in city
LIFE has become a constant battle for the Ata-Manobo children of Gupitan, Kapalong, Davao del Norte.
Through sounds of war nearby, the quiet community has become a witness to skirmishes between soldiers and NPA rebels, with explosions easily mistaken for bombs that threatened their homes.
For people so used to silence, the sound of firepower raining down from helicopters to ground targets scar not only ground but also memory.
In April last year, hundreds of lumads from Davao del Norte escaped to the city and demanded the pullout of military troops stationed to fend off an insurgency, dating back decades, at the hinterlands.
A year later, the lumads would once again seek the sanctuary of the nearby city, as the battlegrounds have encroached their school grounds.
“Ang akong damgo sa kinabuhi kay mahimong maestro para makatabang sa mga laing lumad (I dream of being a teacher to my fellow IPs),” Alvin said. “Pa-unsa nalang nako pagkab-ot sa akong damgo kung ila ming gina-babagan? (But how do I get there when they stop us from doing so?)”
According to Alvin, paramilitary group Alamara has been on the hunt for NPA sympathizers in the area, tagging even children who were on their way to school.
The pupils from the school have been reportedly blocked by elements of the AFP from attending their moving up ceremony because of being suspected as NPA members.
And so they sought the comfort of another city.
Alvin is one of around 200 pupils from Kapalong town participating in the Moving Up Ceremony held at Almendras Gym yesterday afternoon.
The students decided to hold the ceremony here, prevented on their own turf from shifting from one school grade to another.
No answers
Save Our Schools (SOS) network said that the Department of Education in Davao Region has not answered their complaint against the AFP in connection to the alleged series of attacks on schools in Davao del Norte.
Rius Valle, spokesperson of SOS, earlier said they filed a complaint since the military has violated Republic Act 7610 or the “The Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.”
He cited that “public infrastructure such as schools, hospitals and rural health units shall not be utilized for military purpose such as command post, barracks, detachments, and supply depots.”
On the defensive
However, Lt. Vergel Lacambra, information officer of 10th infantry Division, dismissed the allegations of the SOS.
“There is no truth in allegations of the Save Our Schools (SOS) against our soldiers,” said Lacambra, adding that “The Municipal Tribal Council of Elders memorandums for the closure of Salugpongan Ta’Tanu Igkanogon Community Learning Center (STTICLC) in Talaingod dated 25 April 2015 and 04 May 2015 have affirmed the perilous teachings of the school to the pupils.”
“It is sad to note that the former students who become victims of deceptions and witnesses of the school revealed that they were being indoctrinated to revolt against the government by joining the rebels,” Lacambra said.
Lacambra cited that on April 23, Dr. Josephine L Fadul, the School Division Superintendent of the Department of Education of Davao del Norte recommended implementing the closure of the STTICLC and the creation of a public high school in Butay, Talaingod as agreed during the Regional Intelligence Committee meeting.
“The right of education is the primary concern of our youth today. This is our common demand which we have to work into, giving the “right” education for our children: our soldiers are actively participating in the alternative learning system (ALS) of the government, Brigada Eskwela, project shoebox, and mini-library programs for children. We are your legitimate Army and we are not capable of harming our children,” Lacambra said.
Schoolground access, but…
Department of Education regional director Alberto Escobarte said Monday that the complaint of the schools in Talaingod had not yet reached his office.
The regional director admitted, however, that military personnel were allowed to hold meetings within school facilities.
He requested the personnel to leave their firearms outside the property so that the pupils would not be scared off by their presence.
This was not the first time that residents from Talaingod have complained about alleged military abuses in their own hometown.
In April last year, hundreds of Manobos evacuated from Talaingod to Davao City, fearing they would get caught in the crossfire between the AFP and the NPA.
The Manobos camped out at the UCCP Haran property, at Fr. Selga street, and demanded the military pullout from several hamlets in the area.
MindaNews reported that these were 10 sitios, namely Bayabas, Sazo, Pong-pong, Nasilaban, Dulyan, Nalubas, Bagang, Lasakan, Sambolongan and Bogni.
AFP troops reportedly camped out at several schools in the area, allegedly disrupting classes and scaring away teachers and students alike from holding classes.
The local governments of both Davao City and Davao del Norte eventually stepped in, with Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte speaking with representatives from the schools as well as members of the military.
Duterte warned military personnel to stay away from the schools and guaranteed he would personally intervene if he hears another report of troopers using the schools as encampments.
Duterte and Davao del Norte governor Rodolfo del Rosario, meanwhile, coordinated the return of the bakwits to their homes, weeks later and after much convincing from the government here.
During their brief campout in the city, the City Health Office and City Social Services and Development Office here reported there were instances of sickness during the encampment as hundreds of families, their pets and farm animals included, huddled inside tight tents awaiting help from those who would give it.
“The indigenous people have been neglected,” Gabriela Partylist representative Luz Ilagan said at yesterday’s Kapehan sa SM. “Save our Schools is really a campaign to draw attention to the deprived indigenous children.”
According to teacher Ricky Balilid, they were sent to Gupitan to teach the children in Sitio Muling. However, they were accused by the AFP personnel that they were teachers of the rebels, too.
“We have been harrased and threatened,”Balilid said.
At least 50 students dropped out from last year’s head count by the end of the academic year after reports of harassment from military troops.
From 188 enrollees at one of the schools, at the end of the year, the number would drop to 131.
The lumads have started trickling into the city seeking shelter since April this year. Along the way, some of them have held concerts lamenting the situation in the uplands.
According to Alvin, this, too, was a more welcome alternative. What better sound indeed was there to hear than the symphonies of music instead of the noises of war?
Talaingod Manobos got the support of Congresswoman Ilagan
Dear Diary,
Salamat kay Gabriela Women's Partylist Congresswoman Luz Ilagan sa pagbibigay ng boses sa mga Manobo ng Talaingod. Sana maitulak si Deped Secretary Armin Luistro na gumawa ng aksyon sa problemang ito. Agree ako kay Rep. Luz Ilagan na kung walang pakialam si Dr. Fadul sa edukasyon ng mga lumad, hindi siya nararapat sa Deped.
Nagpapasalamat,
Che
Press Release
Gabriela Women’s Party Representative Luzviminda Ilagan today said the Department of Education needs to explain a memorandum ordering the closure of tribal schools put up and operated by the Salugpungan Ta Tanu Igkanugon Community Learning Center.
“Classes are about to open a few days from now. There are shortages in classrooms, facilities and teachers and there remains an obvious lack of schools in Lumad communities yet a local initiative to put up a tribal school is being attacked no less by officials of the DepEd like Dr. Fadul. Whatever happened to upholding the right to education?”
Ilagan said there is an urgent need for Secretary Luistro to explain such actions from his subordinates in the region and directly intervene so that the tribal schools can continue its operations, open on schedule and ensure that no Lumad child is further deprived of the right to education.
The Gabriela solon said she had been informed that a letter dated May 12, 2015 from Dr. Josephine Fadul, Division Superintendent of DepEd Region XI in Davao del Norte recommended the closure of the said schools. “If Dr. Fadul does not see the value of these tribal schools and if she is proving to be a hindrance to the development and learning of the Lumad children then the DepEd is no place for her. She should explain.”
The Mindanaoan solon said she is set to bring up the plight of Lumad children and their tribal schools in a privilege speech on Monday. Ilagan said an investigation must be conducted so that Luistro the regional DepEd officials can give their explanation on why the DepEd is shutting down Lumad schools. “They will be made to attend the investigation in Congress.”
Ilagan said the DepEd should not allow itself to be used in the AFP’s counter-insurgency operations. According to Ilagan, the Lumad schools have repeatedly been under attack from military forces yet the Lumad children and their teachers’ persistence enabled them to conduct classes even during forced evacuations. They recently conducted their graduation at the Almendras Gym in Davao City since military elements have started occupying their schools and communities. The AFP has accused Lumad communities of supporting the New People’s Army
Salamat kay Gabriela Women's Partylist Congresswoman Luz Ilagan sa pagbibigay ng boses sa mga Manobo ng Talaingod. Sana maitulak si Deped Secretary Armin Luistro na gumawa ng aksyon sa problemang ito. Agree ako kay Rep. Luz Ilagan na kung walang pakialam si Dr. Fadul sa edukasyon ng mga lumad, hindi siya nararapat sa Deped.
Nagpapasalamat,
Che
DepEd's Luistro asked to explain order to shut down tribal schools
Fri, 05/29/2015Press Release
“Classes are about to open a few days from now. There are shortages in classrooms, facilities and teachers and there remains an obvious lack of schools in Lumad communities yet a local initiative to put up a tribal school is being attacked no less by officials of the DepEd like Dr. Fadul. Whatever happened to upholding the right to education?”
Ilagan said there is an urgent need for Secretary Luistro to explain such actions from his subordinates in the region and directly intervene so that the tribal schools can continue its operations, open on schedule and ensure that no Lumad child is further deprived of the right to education.
The Gabriela solon said she had been informed that a letter dated May 12, 2015 from Dr. Josephine Fadul, Division Superintendent of DepEd Region XI in Davao del Norte recommended the closure of the said schools. “If Dr. Fadul does not see the value of these tribal schools and if she is proving to be a hindrance to the development and learning of the Lumad children then the DepEd is no place for her. She should explain.”
The Mindanaoan solon said she is set to bring up the plight of Lumad children and their tribal schools in a privilege speech on Monday. Ilagan said an investigation must be conducted so that Luistro the regional DepEd officials can give their explanation on why the DepEd is shutting down Lumad schools. “They will be made to attend the investigation in Congress.”
Ilagan said the DepEd should not allow itself to be used in the AFP’s counter-insurgency operations. According to Ilagan, the Lumad schools have repeatedly been under attack from military forces yet the Lumad children and their teachers’ persistence enabled them to conduct classes even during forced evacuations. They recently conducted their graduation at the Almendras Gym in Davao City since military elements have started occupying their schools and communities. The AFP has accused Lumad communities of supporting the New People’s Army
Thursday, May 28, 2015
Gusto niyang mag-aral ng Science ngunit pinapasarado ang eskwelahan
Nung tinanong ko siya sandali kung ano ang MAPE, sabi niya dyan yung tinuturo sa kanila ang iba't ibang laro at mga musical instruments.
Muntik na niyang makalimutan ang Agriculture. Nung naalala niya, dinagdag niya na "pinakauna jud nang Agriculture". Hindi ako sigurado kung ang gusto niyang sabihin ay ito ang pinakamahalagang subject para sa kanya.
Ang kanilang mga klase ay mula Lunes hanggang Biyernes. Nagsisimula ang kanilang klase alas-otso ng umaga, ngunit bago yan ay mayroon silang flag ceremony sa alas-syete kinse. Hanggang alas-onse ang kanilang klase sa umaga at pagkatapos nito ay naghahanda na sila ng pagkain para sa tanghalian. Kumukuha sila ng gulay sa kanilang mga pananim at sa paligid.
Pagkatapos ng tanghalian ay nagsisimula naman ang klase sa ala-una. Matatapos ito sa alas-kwatro. Magluluto na naman sila ng kanilang pagkain para sa hapunan. Mag-iigib ng tubig. Ang iba ay pupunta sa kanilang prutasan upang mag-alaga ng pananim. Mayroon namang naglilinis sa paligid.
Ang Salugpungan Ta Tanu Igkanogon Learning Center ay isang boarding school na pinopondohan ng non-government organization o NGO na Rural Missionaries of the Philippines - Southern Mindanao Region. May tirahan (boarding house) ang mga estudyante sa loob mismo ng eskwelahan. Parang may ganyan din yata sa Philippine Science High School.
Lima lahat ang kanilang guro. May ilang subjects na isang guro lang ang naghahandle: halimbawa ay MAPE at Filipino. Hindi ito malayo sa sitwasyon ng maraming pampublikong eskwelahan sa kalunsuran kung saan may kakulangan sa guro dahil sa mababang budget na ibinibigay ng gobyerno sa edukasyon.
Labingtatlo silang estudyante sa isang klase nung Grade 8. Natapos silang lahat sa level na ito at naghihintay na lang sa pagbukas ng eskwelahan para sa Grade 9.
Ano ang kanyang paboritong topic na tinuro sa kanila sa Science?
"Kabahin sa atong pagtuki sa mga butang apil na diha ang tawo. Tukion nato kung unsa ba gyud ang sinugdanan sa tawo."
Kasama sa scholarship na pinoprovide ng Salugpungan ang mga libro sa bawat subject. English ang wika sa karamihan ng mga libro. Values Education, Filipino, at Araling Panlipunan lang ang mga subjects na Filipino ang wika ng textbook.
"Makasabot man mi og English pero putol-putol. Ang ginahimo namo kay ginasabot namo ang kada sentence."
Wala silang English-Cebuano o kahit English-Manobo dictionary. Ito ay isang magandang proyekto sana na makakatulong sa kanilang pag-aaral ng Science.
Nakakaintindi ba ng Manobo ang kanilang mga guro?
"Usahay lang sila makasabot. Tagsa ra pud ila masabtan. Pero makasabot man mi og Bisaya. Kung subject na Filipino, mag-Tagalog sila. Usahay mag-Bisaya. Kung English nga subject, usahay English, pero usahay mag-Bisaya sila aron masabtan."
Sa Science, ano ang mga halimbawa ng topic na naaalala pa niya?
"Magtuki ta kung ang mga tawo asa naggikan, ug nganong nabuo ang mga tawo. Nagtan-aw man mi ana adtong sa sine. Naay salida (documentary). Inenglish. Dili pa kaayo namo masabtan ang gisulti pero masabtan man namo kung unsa ang nahitabo sa salida."
Anu-ano ang maalala mo sa documentary?
"Kanang susihon diri sa sulod sa tawo (tinuro niya ang kanyang dibdib). Pikason ang tawo. Susihon kung unsa ang naa sa sulod sa tawo."
"Naa pud mga Kingdoms sa kinabuhi. Kining Kingdom Monerans. Dili makit-an sa mata. Makit-an ra sa computer."
Maliban pa sa mga nabanggit. Ano pa ang natutunan mo sa Science?
"Tukion kining mga plants, kung unsaon nato pagkuwan nga mabuhi siya og tarong. Dili mamatay. Ug kanang mga animals pud, ingon ana gihapon sa tawo."
Ang kanilang mga libro ay nasa kanilang eskwelahan sa Sitio Nasilaban. Umalis sila doon katapusan ng March at umuwi sa kani-kanilang mga pamilya pagkatapos ng school year.
Habang nagkaklase sila ay madalas dumalaw ang mga sundalo sa kanilang eskwelahan. Sa may sentro ng Sitio Nasilaban lang tumatambay ang mga sundalo. Sobrang lapit lang ito sa eskwelahan. Ayon sa kanya, nasa 30 meters lang ang distansya.
Ang mga sundalo, ayon sa kanya, ay may permanenteng tirahan na nasa itaas na bahagi ng bundok, mga nasa 500 meters ang distansya sa tingin ng bata. "Pero usahay, sila tanan mubaba dira sa sentro, ug muadto ang uban didto sa eskwelahan."
May ilang kaklase na sila na tumigil sa pag-aaral dahil natatakot sa mga sundalo. Pinapasarado na ngayon ng Deped ang kanilang eskwelahan dahil eskwelahan daw ito ng New People's Army.
Ang interview na ginawa ay bahagi ng programa ng Alternative Science Academy (ALSA) na tulungang iangat ang science literacy sa Pilipinas lalo na sa mga marginalized communities. Ang ALSA ay nakikipag-ugnayan sa mga eskwelahan sa Southern Mindanao lalo na doon sa mga malalayong komunidad gaya ng Talaingod. Para sa karagdagang detalye, kontakin lamang ang ALSA sa pamamagitan ng email: alsa.science.davao at gmail dot com
Ang larawan sa itaas ay galing sa Samahan ng Nagtataguyod ng Agham at Teknolohiya Para sa Sambayanan (AGHAM).
Some lumad schools may close due to militarization
‘Let Lumad schools open’
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMILMay 28, 2015
Bulatlat.com
The Save Our Schools (SOS) Network reported 13 incidents of military encampment, threats, and harassment affecting 1,686 students and 42 teachers in Talaingod, Davao del Norte and Compostela Valley.
“There were also reports of soldiers bribing paramilitary men and even Lumad leaders to destroy IP schools, especially in Talaingod,”ACT said in its statement.
Rius Valle, of SOS Network said that with the continuous threat by soldiers of the Philippine Army’s 68th Infantry Battalion and the paramilitary group Alamara to the staff of Salugpungan Ta Tanu Igkanugon Community Learning Center (STTICLC) at sitio Tibukag in Talaingod, there is a bleak chance for the school to open on June 1.
Soldiers’ orders: kill and burn
Valle said that since January up to this month, soldiers have been telling residents of Palma Gil village to burn the STTICLC.
Datu Ginom Andel, of the Blaan group Salugpungan Ta Tanu Igkanugon, said in sitio Tibukag, the soldiers encamped in between the STTICLC and the Department of Education (Deped) school, where they dug foxholes and hang tarpaulins for their roof.
“They summoned the people into the DepEd (school). There they would speak to them, asking where the NPAs are,” Andel added.
In May, Andel said the soldiers again ordered them to burn the school down. “The soldier told us ‘You should burn that school down, because it is run by communists.’ “We replied that we won’t do that, because this school gave us education that is for free, we don’t have to pay for anything.”
Andel said soldiers told them to kill the teachers of the STTICLC when they come to school for the upcoming classes. He said they were told that if a teacher from Salugpungan arrives, they would have to kill them, because the school is owned by the NPA, and the teachers themselves are NPAs.
In sitio Muling, Gupitan village, Kapalong Davao del Norte, the moving up ceremony of the Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation Academy (Misfa) for preschool and Grade 6 students in March was delayed because of military encampment and harassment of the teachers whom soldiers tagged as NPAs. The ceremony finally pushed through on May 25, one week before the school opening, Davao Today reported.
Call on lawmakers
Meanwhile, child rights advocates picketed in front of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, May 26, as the Committee on Human Rights held an omnibus legislative inquiry regarding cases of human rights violations allegedly committed by members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Cases of extrajudicial killings, abduction, harassment, military encampment in schools and false labels of child soldiers were discussed during the inquiry. The child rights advocates called on the lawmakers not to allocate funds to the AFP until they have accounted for the rights abuses.
Kharlo Manano, secretary general of the Salinlahi Alliance for Children’s Concerns, said their group has brought cases of child’s rights violations to different government agencies long before the inquiry.
“The lawmakers should exert all efforts and resolutely investigate these cases to make the perpetrators accountable,” said Manano. He attributed the violations to the Aquino administration’s counterinsurgency program, Oplan Bayanihan.
Children’s Rehabilitation Center (CRC) executive director Jacquiline Ruiz said they have recorded 20 children killed during military operations, while 31 children were maliciously labelled as child soldiers.
The CRC expressed alarm over the increasing cases of human rights violations against children perpetrated by the state forces.
“Even schools are now not safe for children as they use these as barracks,” Manano said.
He lamented that no concrete action has been taken by the government in spite of a dialogue last year with Deped Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro, FSC on attacks on schools.
A very deplorable fate of a Deped official who wants to close schools
Dear Diary,
Ilang dekada na ring pinabayaan ng gobyerno ang mga lumad sa Talaingod. Ilang dekada na ring niloko ang mga Manobo doon ng mga malalaking logging companies sa pangunguna ng Alsons. Matapos ang kanilang mahabang pakikibaka para sa madepensahan ang kanilang lupang ninuno (yutang kabilin o ancestral domain), nagpasya sila na ang pagtatayo ng kanilang paaralan ay isang mahalagang bahagi ng pakikibakang ito.
Nakita nila na ang edukasyon sa mga susunod na henerasyon ang susi upang hindi na sila basta-basta maloko ulit ng mga dayong gahaman na nais lamang angkinin ang kanilang kayamanan, ang mga ginto at iba pang minerales sa kanilang kabundukan at ang mga matatayog na punongkahoy na ginagawang troso. Nakita nila ang magandang kinabukasan ng kanilang mga anak at mga apo dahil sa eskwelahang Salugpungan Ta Tanu Igkanogon Learning Center kung saan katatapos lang ng Grade 8 ang pinakaunang batch.
Tapos heto ang isang opisyal ng gobyerno, opisyal pa man din ng Deped, na gustong ipasara ang eskwelahang siyang nagpuno sa serbisyong hindi kayang ibigay ng gobyerno. Lord, sana bigyan nyo ako ng sapat na lakas para unawain ang mga inutil at ignorante sa gobyerno.
Nagdadasal,
Che
May 28, 2015
IT’S not enough that the Department of Education has abandoned the Ata-Manobo children of Talaingod in Davao del Norte for many years by failing to put up schools or send teachers to upland communities and depressed villages; it wants to double the offense by shutting down three tribal schools in the town based only on the allegation that the schools are fronts of the New People’s Army.
The recommendation of Dr. Josephine Fadul, schools division superintendent of Davao del Norte, came at a time when children catered by the Salugpungan Ta Tanu Igkanugon schools are faced with the uncertainty of having to continue their education this year — or not — as soldiers allegedly have once again used their schools as camps.
In the nearby town of Kapalong — in Sitio Muling, Barangay Gupitan — a school constructed for the lumad children will not be available for the children as the new school year opens next month. The paramilitary group Alamara has issued a warning to the parents against having their children enrolled in the school. The school, funded by the nonprofit group Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation, Inc. (Misfi), is the only school in Muling, a village that that can be reached after two days of walk.
The children of Muling are in Davao City, joining calls for the soldiers and the paramilitary group Alamara to vacate their school.
Lt. Chrystin Pamplona, OIC spokesperson of 10th ID, dismissed this as nothing but “old thing, recycled propaganda.”
Meanwhile, Fadul has sought for the closure of the three Salugopungan Ta Tanu Igkanunon schools in a letter she submitted to Department of Education Regional Director Alberto Escobarte. This was her response to the position paper of the Talaingod Municipal Tribal Council that demanded the school be assessed and shut down because the tribal schools are fronts of the rebels.
Fadul then recommended the construction of a school in the village of Butay to be managed by the military.
“Should this request for the closure of the said schools be granted, in its stead, this Division requests permission to implement the creation of a public high school in Butay, Talaingod utilizing military personnel as para-teachers…” Fadul said in a letter.
Apart from being absurd, Fadul’s recommendations only show her ignorance of the law and lack of compassion for the Ata-Manobo children.
“These children had long been deprived of proper education and only because of the Salugpungan Ta Tanu Igkanugon that they were able to have a taste of how it is to get basic education. What she is doing now is an attack to the children and the schools — the same schools that provided the children with education, the time when DepEd was a failure,” said Rius Valle, spokesperson of the advocacy group Save Our Schools Network.
Contrary to reports that the schools are running without permits, Valle said all the Salugpungan Ta Tanu Igakanugon schools have been accredited by DepEd Central Office through the Indigenous Peoples Education Office. The schools’ operations are also guided by DepEd Order No. 21 that recognized private learning institutions serving tribal learners. For this, he slammed Fadul for being ignorant of the law.
“She has recommended the construction of schools and the deployment of para-teachers. How ignorant she can be to not know that soldiers are not supposed to walk into classrooms and act as teachers?” he said.
Valle said his group is looking into the possibility of filing formal complaint against Fadul.
“She is supposed to protect the schools, but now, she is the one pushing for its destruction. This is very deplorable,” Valle said. | JMT, NewsDesk
Ilang dekada na ring pinabayaan ng gobyerno ang mga lumad sa Talaingod. Ilang dekada na ring niloko ang mga Manobo doon ng mga malalaking logging companies sa pangunguna ng Alsons. Matapos ang kanilang mahabang pakikibaka para sa madepensahan ang kanilang lupang ninuno (yutang kabilin o ancestral domain), nagpasya sila na ang pagtatayo ng kanilang paaralan ay isang mahalagang bahagi ng pakikibakang ito.
Nakita nila na ang edukasyon sa mga susunod na henerasyon ang susi upang hindi na sila basta-basta maloko ulit ng mga dayong gahaman na nais lamang angkinin ang kanilang kayamanan, ang mga ginto at iba pang minerales sa kanilang kabundukan at ang mga matatayog na punongkahoy na ginagawang troso. Nakita nila ang magandang kinabukasan ng kanilang mga anak at mga apo dahil sa eskwelahang Salugpungan Ta Tanu Igkanogon Learning Center kung saan katatapos lang ng Grade 8 ang pinakaunang batch.
Tapos heto ang isang opisyal ng gobyerno, opisyal pa man din ng Deped, na gustong ipasara ang eskwelahang siyang nagpuno sa serbisyong hindi kayang ibigay ng gobyerno. Lord, sana bigyan nyo ako ng sapat na lakas para unawain ang mga inutil at ignorante sa gobyerno.
Nagdadasal,
Che
Education exec wants tribal schools closed, recommends deployment of military ‘para-teachers’
By NewsDeskMay 28, 2015
The recommendation of Dr. Josephine Fadul, schools division superintendent of Davao del Norte, came at a time when children catered by the Salugpungan Ta Tanu Igkanugon schools are faced with the uncertainty of having to continue their education this year — or not — as soldiers allegedly have once again used their schools as camps.
In the nearby town of Kapalong — in Sitio Muling, Barangay Gupitan — a school constructed for the lumad children will not be available for the children as the new school year opens next month. The paramilitary group Alamara has issued a warning to the parents against having their children enrolled in the school. The school, funded by the nonprofit group Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation, Inc. (Misfi), is the only school in Muling, a village that that can be reached after two days of walk.
The children of Muling are in Davao City, joining calls for the soldiers and the paramilitary group Alamara to vacate their school.
Lt. Chrystin Pamplona, OIC spokesperson of 10th ID, dismissed this as nothing but “old thing, recycled propaganda.”
Meanwhile, Fadul has sought for the closure of the three Salugopungan Ta Tanu Igkanunon schools in a letter she submitted to Department of Education Regional Director Alberto Escobarte. This was her response to the position paper of the Talaingod Municipal Tribal Council that demanded the school be assessed and shut down because the tribal schools are fronts of the rebels.
Fadul then recommended the construction of a school in the village of Butay to be managed by the military.
“Should this request for the closure of the said schools be granted, in its stead, this Division requests permission to implement the creation of a public high school in Butay, Talaingod utilizing military personnel as para-teachers…” Fadul said in a letter.
Apart from being absurd, Fadul’s recommendations only show her ignorance of the law and lack of compassion for the Ata-Manobo children.
“These children had long been deprived of proper education and only because of the Salugpungan Ta Tanu Igkanugon that they were able to have a taste of how it is to get basic education. What she is doing now is an attack to the children and the schools — the same schools that provided the children with education, the time when DepEd was a failure,” said Rius Valle, spokesperson of the advocacy group Save Our Schools Network.
Contrary to reports that the schools are running without permits, Valle said all the Salugpungan Ta Tanu Igakanugon schools have been accredited by DepEd Central Office through the Indigenous Peoples Education Office. The schools’ operations are also guided by DepEd Order No. 21 that recognized private learning institutions serving tribal learners. For this, he slammed Fadul for being ignorant of the law.
“She has recommended the construction of schools and the deployment of para-teachers. How ignorant she can be to not know that soldiers are not supposed to walk into classrooms and act as teachers?” he said.
Valle said his group is looking into the possibility of filing formal complaint against Fadul.
“She is supposed to protect the schools, but now, she is the one pushing for its destruction. This is very deplorable,” Valle said. | JMT, NewsDesk
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Matag adlaw kong iniisip ang inyong lig-on nga pagbarug
Sana naaalala niyo pa ako. Parang kailan lang nung nandyan din ako sa Haran, kasama ninyong mga bakwet. Halos araw araw, nadunggan ko ang inyohang mga istorya, kanta ug sayaw og inyong pakigbisog. 28 nang pebrero nang nag-uli ako gikan sa Maynila hangtud sa Amerika. pebrero 28 pud nag-uli kamo sa Talaingod.
Pero karon, anaa kamo diha gihapon. Nakakagalit na mabalitaan na grabe na naman ang militarisasyon sa Talaingod. Ngano mang ginaatake kining mga eskwelahan? Wala namay laing tumong ang mga eskwelahan kon dili hatagan og edukasyon ang mga kabatan-onan aron makabalo sila mobasa, mosulat, ug aron dili sila madaugdaug. Aron mapalambo ang kultura, ekonomiya, og panlawas ng mga Manobo.
Pero gusto kong ipaabot sa inyo na umaabot diri ang kwento ng inyong pakigbisog. Pinakita ko ang video sa buong school ko kanina, at maraming na-dasig sa inyong pakikibaka. Kahit ako, matag adlaw kong iniisip ang inyong lig-on nga pagbarug. Nagaistorya ako kaniadto tungkol sa inyo, ug dili ko mapigilan maghilak. Dako nga kadasig ang gihatag nimo sa akoha. Napakalaki kayong inspirasyon. Dugang kadasig!
Hiyasmin
Writing from the US
What Salugpongan means to lumad children
Panoorin ang bidyong ito tungkol sa paaralang Salugpongan Tá Tanu Igkanogon Learning Center, isang eskwelahang itinayo ng mga lumad mismo sa tulong ng mga NGO at indibidwal na sumusuporta sa pakikibaka ng mga lumad para sa kanilang karapatan sa sariling pagpasya (right to self-determination).
Talaingod still suffers from militarization
Dear Diary,
Ayon sa balita sa baba noong nakaraang taon lang, nangako ang 10th ID na magpupullout na sila sa Talaingod. Bakit hanggang ngayon patuloy pa rin ang militarisasyon sa Talaingod? At pinipilit pa ang mga lumad na sunugin ang mga eskwelahan nila at patayin ang mga guro nito!
Nagagalit,
Che
May 5, 2014
Philippine Daily Inquirer
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Over 1,000 lumad evacuees from Talaingod in Davao del Norte have agreed to return home after top military officers agreed to move out government troops from barangay (village) halls and civilian facilities in 11 sitios (sub-village) of the town’s Barangay Palma Gil for the villagers’ peaceful return.
This developed as the group Defend Talaingod Save Pantaron Range Alliance launched a hotline to allow Talaingod Manobos to report abuses they may encounter upon their return.
“We are concerned for their safety,” said Professor Aya Ragrario, of Defend Talaingod, Save Pantaron Range Alliance. “We enjoin the public to keep in touch and be aware of what is happening in Talaingod.”
The military’s pull-out was part of the government’s April 29 commitment in a dialogue that Mayor Rodrigo Duterte arranged among the evacuees, the top military officials in the Eastern Mindanao Command and Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario, to ensure the villagers’ safe return.
Lieutenant Colonel Jake Obligado, chief of the civil military operations of the 10th Infantry Division, however, said the immediate clearing of troops would not mean they would be barred from going to the sitios in the future.
“That is our mandate, no one could prevent us from going there,” Obligado said after the dialogue.
The Talaingod Manobos fled their homes for fear of being caught in the crossfire as soldiers reportedly conducted aerial bombardment in March this year when fighting with the communist New People’s Army escalated. They returned to Talaingod on Saturday.
Although Duterte lauded the agreement reached among the evacuees of Talaingod, he said he would not allow soldiers to pull out of Paquibato District here, where government’s fight against the NPA has created a similar problem.
“I will not allow the pullout of government troops because that is their job– to go where the communists are,” Duterte said.
But Duterte has asked soldiers to stop the conduct of the so-called community “census,” where soldiers question residents about the members of their families, their organizational affiliations and their whereabouts. He also asked soldiers to pull out of barangay halls, daycare centers and other civilian facilities to protect civilians.
“I will ask them to stop questioning everybody, which is already scaring people in the communities,” he said, “If they want information, I’ll ask them to coordinate with barangay captains, instead.”
In a separate dialogue with Duterte, barangay captains in Paquibato have complained how they and their people have been subjected to “census” and questioning by the military, and have been tagged either as sympathizers and members of the NPA.
Celso Bughaw, barangay captain of Lumiad, Paquibato, said he was not the only one who felt being harassed and threatened by soldiers who told him he would not get elected in the barangay without the nod from the NPA.
Aida Seira, secretary general of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas in the area and the Paquibato District Peasant Alliance, said people in the area have been subjected to census and threatened; and her husband, who has been working as an overseas contract worker (OFW) in Singapore, suspected to have joined the NPA because he was no longer seen around the area.
Paquibato officials have agreed to return home after Duterte assured them such questioning will no longer happen. He also ordered soldiers to move out of the barangay halls, daycare centers, schools and other civilian facilities although they are still allowed to roam outside the civilian centers.
Ayon sa balita sa baba noong nakaraang taon lang, nangako ang 10th ID na magpupullout na sila sa Talaingod. Bakit hanggang ngayon patuloy pa rin ang militarisasyon sa Talaingod? At pinipilit pa ang mga lumad na sunugin ang mga eskwelahan nila at patayin ang mga guro nito!
Nagagalit,
Che
Lumad evacuees ready to return to Davao del Norte home
By Germelina LacorteMay 5, 2014
Philippine Daily Inquirer
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Over 1,000 lumad evacuees from Talaingod in Davao del Norte have agreed to return home after top military officers agreed to move out government troops from barangay (village) halls and civilian facilities in 11 sitios (sub-village) of the town’s Barangay Palma Gil for the villagers’ peaceful return.
This developed as the group Defend Talaingod Save Pantaron Range Alliance launched a hotline to allow Talaingod Manobos to report abuses they may encounter upon their return.
“We are concerned for their safety,” said Professor Aya Ragrario, of Defend Talaingod, Save Pantaron Range Alliance. “We enjoin the public to keep in touch and be aware of what is happening in Talaingod.”
The military’s pull-out was part of the government’s April 29 commitment in a dialogue that Mayor Rodrigo Duterte arranged among the evacuees, the top military officials in the Eastern Mindanao Command and Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario, to ensure the villagers’ safe return.
Lieutenant Colonel Jake Obligado, chief of the civil military operations of the 10th Infantry Division, however, said the immediate clearing of troops would not mean they would be barred from going to the sitios in the future.
“That is our mandate, no one could prevent us from going there,” Obligado said after the dialogue.
The Talaingod Manobos fled their homes for fear of being caught in the crossfire as soldiers reportedly conducted aerial bombardment in March this year when fighting with the communist New People’s Army escalated. They returned to Talaingod on Saturday.
Although Duterte lauded the agreement reached among the evacuees of Talaingod, he said he would not allow soldiers to pull out of Paquibato District here, where government’s fight against the NPA has created a similar problem.
“I will not allow the pullout of government troops because that is their job– to go where the communists are,” Duterte said.
But Duterte has asked soldiers to stop the conduct of the so-called community “census,” where soldiers question residents about the members of their families, their organizational affiliations and their whereabouts. He also asked soldiers to pull out of barangay halls, daycare centers and other civilian facilities to protect civilians.
“I will ask them to stop questioning everybody, which is already scaring people in the communities,” he said, “If they want information, I’ll ask them to coordinate with barangay captains, instead.”
In a separate dialogue with Duterte, barangay captains in Paquibato have complained how they and their people have been subjected to “census” and questioning by the military, and have been tagged either as sympathizers and members of the NPA.
Celso Bughaw, barangay captain of Lumiad, Paquibato, said he was not the only one who felt being harassed and threatened by soldiers who told him he would not get elected in the barangay without the nod from the NPA.
Aida Seira, secretary general of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas in the area and the Paquibato District Peasant Alliance, said people in the area have been subjected to census and threatened; and her husband, who has been working as an overseas contract worker (OFW) in Singapore, suspected to have joined the NPA because he was no longer seen around the area.
Paquibato officials have agreed to return home after Duterte assured them such questioning will no longer happen. He also ordered soldiers to move out of the barangay halls, daycare centers, schools and other civilian facilities although they are still allowed to roam outside the civilian centers.
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
This school gave us education that is for free
Dear Diary,
Nakakagalit ang balitang ito. Bakit gustong ipasunog ng mga sundalo ng gobyerno ang mga eskwelahang nagbibigay naman ng libreng edukasyon sa mga lumad?!
Nagagalit,
Che
By 105.9 Balita FM
May 26, 2015
DAVAO CITY- Accounts of repeated efforts by the military to prevent the alternative learning schools of the Salugpungan Ta Tanu Igkanugon Community Learning Center (STTICLC) from operating were reported by the Datus (tribal chieftains) of Talaingod at Save Our Schools Network.
Datu Ginom Andel, a chieftain of the Salugpungan Ta Tanu Igkanugon from Sitio Tibukag, claimed that the elements from the 68th IBPA instructed the local leaders to torch the Salugpungan School in the same locale.
“Didto sila nagkampo sa tunga sa DepEd nga eskwelahan ug sa Salugpungan. Nagkalot ug mga foxhole, nya nag sabit ug mga trapal para sa atop”, Datu Ginom remembers.
[They camped in the middle of the DepEd school and Salugpungan. They dug a foxhole, used a tarpaulin as a roof.]
“Didto sa DepEd na nila ipatawag ang mga tao, kay ilang sturyahon, pangitaan aha daw ang NPA,” he added.
[They called the people into the DepEd (school). There they would speak to them, asking where are the NPA].
In one particular discussion, Datu Ginom and his companions were called for a meeting in the DepEd school this month of May.
There, the military told him and the others to burn the school down, he recalled.
“Giingnan mi sa sundalo ‘Sunugon na ninyo dapat kanang eskwelahan, kay mao kana sa komunista’”
[The soldier told us, “You should burn that school down, because it is run by communists.”]
“Gitubag namo ‘Ay dili namo na buhaton, kay kani nga eskwelahan maoy naghatag edukasyon, nya libre pa jud, wa ka lain bayaran,” Ginom said.
[We replied, “We won’t do that, because this school gave us education that is for free, we don't have to pay for anything].
Apart from the efforts to burn the school down, Ginom also said that the military told them to kill the teachers of the Salugpungan, should they come to attend the school for the upcoming classes.
“Kung naa daw muabot na teacher gikan sa Salugpungan, patyon daw namo, kay sa NPA daw ang eskwelahan, ang teacher kuno kay NPA,” Ginom added.
[They said, if a teacher from Salugpungan arrives, we would have to kill them, because the school is owned by the NPA, the teachers NPA's themselves.]
Due to these, the chances of opening the Salugpungan school in Tibukag for the upcoming classes is bleak, as state forces continually threaten its staff and to destroy the school structure.
Rius Valle, Save Our Schools Network said that the attacks against the schools by the military reflects the real face of the AFP.
“Contrary to the claims of peace and development flouted by the AFP in the implementation of Oplan Bayanihan, government troops have only sowed terror and displayed interest in further marginalizing the lumad communities of Talaingod,” Valle said.
Valle added, that Ginom’s account of the AFP operation in Sitio Tibukag may be happening across other alternative learning schools in Mindanao as well.
“The students in Sitio Tibukag may not be the only ones who will be affected by the presence of military troops, as the AFP continues to harass staff of Salugpungan schools all over Southern Mindanao.
Nakakagalit ang balitang ito. Bakit gustong ipasunog ng mga sundalo ng gobyerno ang mga eskwelahang nagbibigay naman ng libreng edukasyon sa mga lumad?!
Nagagalit,
Che
“They told us to burn our school” — Tribal Chieftain
By 105.9 Balita FMMay 26, 2015
Datu Ginom Andel, a chieftain of the Salugpungan Ta Tanu Igkanugon from Sitio Tibukag, claimed that the elements from the 68th IBPA instructed the local leaders to torch the Salugpungan School in the same locale.
“Didto sila nagkampo sa tunga sa DepEd nga eskwelahan ug sa Salugpungan. Nagkalot ug mga foxhole, nya nag sabit ug mga trapal para sa atop”, Datu Ginom remembers.
[They camped in the middle of the DepEd school and Salugpungan. They dug a foxhole, used a tarpaulin as a roof.]
“Didto sa DepEd na nila ipatawag ang mga tao, kay ilang sturyahon, pangitaan aha daw ang NPA,” he added.
[They called the people into the DepEd (school). There they would speak to them, asking where are the NPA].
In one particular discussion, Datu Ginom and his companions were called for a meeting in the DepEd school this month of May.
There, the military told him and the others to burn the school down, he recalled.
“Giingnan mi sa sundalo ‘Sunugon na ninyo dapat kanang eskwelahan, kay mao kana sa komunista’”
[The soldier told us, “You should burn that school down, because it is run by communists.”]
“Gitubag namo ‘Ay dili namo na buhaton, kay kani nga eskwelahan maoy naghatag edukasyon, nya libre pa jud, wa ka lain bayaran,” Ginom said.
[We replied, “We won’t do that, because this school gave us education that is for free, we don't have to pay for anything].
Apart from the efforts to burn the school down, Ginom also said that the military told them to kill the teachers of the Salugpungan, should they come to attend the school for the upcoming classes.
“Kung naa daw muabot na teacher gikan sa Salugpungan, patyon daw namo, kay sa NPA daw ang eskwelahan, ang teacher kuno kay NPA,” Ginom added.
[They said, if a teacher from Salugpungan arrives, we would have to kill them, because the school is owned by the NPA, the teachers NPA's themselves.]
Due to these, the chances of opening the Salugpungan school in Tibukag for the upcoming classes is bleak, as state forces continually threaten its staff and to destroy the school structure.
Rius Valle, Save Our Schools Network said that the attacks against the schools by the military reflects the real face of the AFP.
“Contrary to the claims of peace and development flouted by the AFP in the implementation of Oplan Bayanihan, government troops have only sowed terror and displayed interest in further marginalizing the lumad communities of Talaingod,” Valle said.
Valle added, that Ginom’s account of the AFP operation in Sitio Tibukag may be happening across other alternative learning schools in Mindanao as well.
“The students in Sitio Tibukag may not be the only ones who will be affected by the presence of military troops, as the AFP continues to harass staff of Salugpungan schools all over Southern Mindanao.
Like a spear through the chest
Dear Diary,
Nabasa mo na ba ang kwento ng isang ka-diary tungkol sa naganap na moving-up and recognition ceremony ng MISFI Academy? Nasa baba ang English version nito, na unang lumabas sa online news website na News Desk.
Isang araw matapos ang moving-up and recognition ceremony, hindi pa rin makakauwi ang mga Manobo sa kanilang komunidad sa Sitio Muling, Baranggay Gupitan, Kapalong. Natatakot silang totohanin ng mga Alamara ang mga banta nito sa kanilang buhay. Ang mga bata kasama ng kanilang mga magulang at kapatid ay nasa isang sanctuary ngayon kasama ang iba pang lumad sa Pantaron Range. Naghihintay ng tamang panahon. Naghahanap ng kasagutan sa mga hamon.
Abangan mo ang iba pang kwento ng mga lumad na biktima ng militarisasyon.
Nangangarap,
Che
PS. Sana hindi ito mananatiling pangarap na lamang.
May 26, 2015
News Desk
A RECOGNITION day is a very special event for every parent, the teachers, the students. It is like a license for one to move on to the next level.
The 8th moving up Recognition Rites of the Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation, Inc. (MISFI) Academy was held in Davao City to recognize Ata Manobo children and mothers. These consist of children from kindergarten to grade 5, and mothers who finished the Literacy Numeracy Program levels 1 and 2.
I have attended many such events, but what I witnessed Monday hit me like a spear through the chest, or so it felt that way. I was overwhelmed with mixed emotions. I could hardly conceal my tears. Tears of joy, anger, sadness, and rage. Joy, because MISFI Academy could “finally” hold a ceremony for these mothers and children.
I can see the same joy in Baby Tima Mantog’s eyes when he was awarded Best in Math, Best in Filipino, Best in English, Best in Makabayan, Best in Reading, and Best in Drawing. This was the same boy who told me that his ambition was to become a teacher so he could teach his fellow Lumads in that same school someday. Rage, for why should these people have to find a different location just to hold this event when they could have just held it in their own domain. The reason being that they weren’t allowed to do so by the elements from the 60th Infantry Batallion and Alamara, a paramilitary group of Lumads who were armed by the Philippine Army to extend their forces into remote areas.
History tells us that groups like these can be even more brutal than the army itself. In fact, these children and their parents even received threats of being chopped to pieces should they even attempt to disobey orders. Last Saturday, 23rd of May, we had to rescue these parents and children and help them flee to Davao City just to hold the event. For them, this meant 2 days of travel on foot through hilly terrain, and a 5-hour ride on mostly rough road. Because of the threats, they even had to hide on a cliff’s face just to avoid detection.
A total of 80 inividuals, 43 of which were children, had to squeeze themselves into a medium-sized truck. This truck had to be rented by the support group Save Our Schools because these individuals themselves don’t have the ways or means to even buy a pair of slippers. Fifty three of these individuals were “finally” able to move up after all the exhaustion, travel fatigue, and possible long-term emotional and mental trauma for the children out of fear for their lives.
Education is a basic right, but with the current system, we even have to fight for or defend it. We always say that the youth is a nation’s hope, but the government’s education services never reach Lumad communities. This is what drives each parent, child, and concerned institution to strive and build schools, but these schools especially are not exempt from the state’s fascism. You see, it wasn’t the government who built it therefore, the New People’s Army must have, or so goes the reasoning propagated by the 60th IBPA and other government forces.
Education becomes a coveted prize that remains elusive to most Filipinos, as if it were a distant star that is always within sight but never possessed. Here for one second, gone for the next lifetime, parting as swift as a storm chases away a candlelight.
However, storms end and always reveals the sun that gives us hope.
Nabasa mo na ba ang kwento ng isang ka-diary tungkol sa naganap na moving-up and recognition ceremony ng MISFI Academy? Nasa baba ang English version nito, na unang lumabas sa online news website na News Desk.
Isang araw matapos ang moving-up and recognition ceremony, hindi pa rin makakauwi ang mga Manobo sa kanilang komunidad sa Sitio Muling, Baranggay Gupitan, Kapalong. Natatakot silang totohanin ng mga Alamara ang mga banta nito sa kanilang buhay. Ang mga bata kasama ng kanilang mga magulang at kapatid ay nasa isang sanctuary ngayon kasama ang iba pang lumad sa Pantaron Range. Naghihintay ng tamang panahon. Naghahanap ng kasagutan sa mga hamon.
Abangan mo ang iba pang kwento ng mga lumad na biktima ng militarisasyon.
Nangangarap,
Che
PS. Sana hindi ito mananatiling pangarap na lamang.
Within Sight: Storms and the sun
By Glades Jane MaglunsodMay 26, 2015
News Desk
The 8th moving up Recognition Rites of the Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation, Inc. (MISFI) Academy was held in Davao City to recognize Ata Manobo children and mothers. These consist of children from kindergarten to grade 5, and mothers who finished the Literacy Numeracy Program levels 1 and 2.
I have attended many such events, but what I witnessed Monday hit me like a spear through the chest, or so it felt that way. I was overwhelmed with mixed emotions. I could hardly conceal my tears. Tears of joy, anger, sadness, and rage. Joy, because MISFI Academy could “finally” hold a ceremony for these mothers and children.
I can see the same joy in Baby Tima Mantog’s eyes when he was awarded Best in Math, Best in Filipino, Best in English, Best in Makabayan, Best in Reading, and Best in Drawing. This was the same boy who told me that his ambition was to become a teacher so he could teach his fellow Lumads in that same school someday. Rage, for why should these people have to find a different location just to hold this event when they could have just held it in their own domain. The reason being that they weren’t allowed to do so by the elements from the 60th Infantry Batallion and Alamara, a paramilitary group of Lumads who were armed by the Philippine Army to extend their forces into remote areas.
A total of 80 inividuals, 43 of which were children, had to squeeze themselves into a medium-sized truck. This truck had to be rented by the support group Save Our Schools because these individuals themselves don’t have the ways or means to even buy a pair of slippers. Fifty three of these individuals were “finally” able to move up after all the exhaustion, travel fatigue, and possible long-term emotional and mental trauma for the children out of fear for their lives.
Education is a basic right, but with the current system, we even have to fight for or defend it. We always say that the youth is a nation’s hope, but the government’s education services never reach Lumad communities. This is what drives each parent, child, and concerned institution to strive and build schools, but these schools especially are not exempt from the state’s fascism. You see, it wasn’t the government who built it therefore, the New People’s Army must have, or so goes the reasoning propagated by the 60th IBPA and other government forces.
Education becomes a coveted prize that remains elusive to most Filipinos, as if it were a distant star that is always within sight but never possessed. Here for one second, gone for the next lifetime, parting as swift as a storm chases away a candlelight.
However, storms end and always reveals the sun that gives us hope.
Monday, May 25, 2015
I have suddenly become an activist
Dear Diary,
Ang kwentong ito ay mula sa ating kaibigan na taga-taong-simbahan. Siya ay bumisita kamakailan sa mga lumad na Ata-Manobo mula sa Talaingod, Davao del Norte. Pasensya na sa nagbabasa kung sakaling magka-nosebleed ka. English kasi ang kanyang pagpapahayag ng kanyang damdamin. Basahin ang kwento sa ibaba ng bidyo.
Sa mga nakasalamuha ang mga lumad na bakwit kahit noong mga nakaraang taon, maaari lang pong ipadala ang inyong mga kwento o repleksyon sa bakwitdiaries at gmail dot com.
Sabay nating pangarapin ang isang lipunang tunay na nagkakalinga sa mga lumad.
Nangangarap,
Che
May 24 at 10:46pm
“I thought such things no longer happen in our time, not after 1986, not after EDSA, not after we booted the evil Marcos regime out.”
These were the words that kept running through my brain when we left the UCCP Haran compound in Davao City, where almost 200 people from the Lumad tribe of Talaingod, Davao del Norte have been staying after they left their community because of the presence of the military which started last year.
We heard stories of how the children could not attend school because the school has been occupied by the military and have become a temporary camp. We heard stories of how the farmers were prevented from tending their crops because if they do, they will be suspected of being members of the New People’s Army. We heard stories that I thought I will never hear again. Not after 1986, not after EDSA.
These people are denied of their basic rights. They are denied of their homes, their livelihood, and even their food source. The children are denied of their basic education.
The tribes people are being driven from their land to give way to the entry of a large scale mining company from Australia. The land they have been calling home since they were born. The government through the 1995 mining act gave licences to foreign mining companies to exploit the natural resources of our country.
This should stop. People should not be displaced. Our mountains should not be destroyed. The government should look for a better way to improve the country’s economy.
As a people of faith what are we to do? What can we do? Do we continue to stay within the confines of our churches detached from what is happening to certain sectors of our society?
If we do not do anything about injustices such as these then we lose our very reason for being.
People who knew me may begin to wonder if I have suddenly become an activist. A leftist. But this is not about labels. This about justice. Justice for the displaced Lumads. Justice for the environment.
#RethinkChurch #churchandsociety #justiceforthelumads #savetheenvironment #notobigscalemining #savethechildren
Ang kwentong ito ay mula sa ating kaibigan na taga-taong-simbahan. Siya ay bumisita kamakailan sa mga lumad na Ata-Manobo mula sa Talaingod, Davao del Norte. Pasensya na sa nagbabasa kung sakaling magka-nosebleed ka. English kasi ang kanyang pagpapahayag ng kanyang damdamin. Basahin ang kwento sa ibaba ng bidyo.
Sa mga nakasalamuha ang mga lumad na bakwit kahit noong mga nakaraang taon, maaari lang pong ipadala ang inyong mga kwento o repleksyon sa bakwitdiaries at gmail dot com.
Sabay nating pangarapin ang isang lipunang tunay na nagkakalinga sa mga lumad.
Nangangarap,
Che
May 24 at 10:46pm
“I thought such things no longer happen in our time, not after 1986, not after EDSA, not after we booted the evil Marcos regime out.”
These were the words that kept running through my brain when we left the UCCP Haran compound in Davao City, where almost 200 people from the Lumad tribe of Talaingod, Davao del Norte have been staying after they left their community because of the presence of the military which started last year.
We heard stories of how the children could not attend school because the school has been occupied by the military and have become a temporary camp. We heard stories of how the farmers were prevented from tending their crops because if they do, they will be suspected of being members of the New People’s Army. We heard stories that I thought I will never hear again. Not after 1986, not after EDSA.
These people are denied of their basic rights. They are denied of their homes, their livelihood, and even their food source. The children are denied of their basic education.
The tribes people are being driven from their land to give way to the entry of a large scale mining company from Australia. The land they have been calling home since they were born. The government through the 1995 mining act gave licences to foreign mining companies to exploit the natural resources of our country.
This should stop. People should not be displaced. Our mountains should not be destroyed. The government should look for a better way to improve the country’s economy.
As a people of faith what are we to do? What can we do? Do we continue to stay within the confines of our churches detached from what is happening to certain sectors of our society?
If we do not do anything about injustices such as these then we lose our very reason for being.
People who knew me may begin to wonder if I have suddenly become an activist. A leftist. But this is not about labels. This about justice. Justice for the displaced Lumads. Justice for the environment.
#RethinkChurch #churchandsociety #justiceforthelumads #savetheenvironment #notobigscalemining #savethechildren
Tagos sa puso ang nasaksihan ko ngayong araw
Dear Diary,
Heto po ang isa pang kwentong pinadala sa atin tungkol sa Moving-Up na nabanggit sa naunang kwento.
Sa nagbabasa nito, sana makatulong ka sa mga batang Manobo sa Kapalong para sa pagtupad nila ng kanilang mga pangarap.
Baka may mga tanong ka at gusto mo tumulong. Sulatan mo lang ako sa bakwitdiaries at gmail dot com at sabay nating tulungan ang mga lumad sa Kapalong.
Nangangarap,
Che
PS. Marami pa akong kwento tungkol sa mga lumad na nagbakwit dito sa Davao City dahil sa militarisasyon sa kanilang komunidad at eskwelahan. Sana handa kang marinig sila.
Ang recognition rites o ceremony ay isang mahalagang event sa bawat magulang, guro at mga mag-aaral. Parang lisensya ito para makapag move on ka sa next level.
Marami na rin akong napuntahang mga moving up recognition exercise ngunit tagos sa puso ang nasaksihan ko ngayong araw na ito. Ginanap ang 8th Moving UP Recognition Rites ng MISFI Academy sa Davao City ng mga bata at nanay na Ata Manobo mula ng Kapalong Kinder to Grade 5 at mga nanay na nakapag tapos ng Literacy Numeracy Program level 1 at level 2.
Iba't ibang emosyon ang aking naramdaman. Pinipilit kong ikubli ang aking mga luha, luha ng tuwa, poot, galit, lungkot at paglaban.
Tuwa dahil sa wakas makakapag daos narin ng seremonyas ang akademya ng MISFI para sa mga bata at nanay.
Galit kung bakit kinakailangan pa na maghanap ng ibang lugar ang akademya para makapagdaos lang ng ganitongseremonyas na maari naman nilang idaos ito sa kanilang lugar ngunit ayaw payagan ng mga sundalo na nasa 60th IB at ng mga Alamara na idaos ito at nagbanta pa na tatadtarin ang sino mang magtatangkang sumuway sa kagaustuhan nila.
Hindi sila pinayagan ng mga sundalo na nasa 60th IB at ng mga Alamara na idaos ito, nagbanta pa na tatadtarin ang sino mang magtatangkang sumuway sa kagustuhan nila.
Noong sabado May 23 kinakailangan naming irescue ang mga magulang at bata para lang makababa sa Davao City para sa kanilang moving up, ilang kilometro ang kailangang lakarin 2 araw na lakaran at mahigit 5 oras na byahe mula sa pinag reskyuhan namin papuntang Davao City dahil hinaharangan sila ng mga sundalo at alamara sa takot nagtago sila sa gilid ng bangin at kung saan para di sila makita.
Ang edukasyon ay isang karapatan ngunit atin itong pinaglalaban at dinidepensahan. Sinasabi natin na ang mga kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan. Walang serbisyong pang edukasyon ang nakakarating sa mga komunidad ng mga lumad kaya't nagsumikap ang bawat magulang, bata at ibat ibang institusyon na magtayo ng paaralan, ngunit kahit ang mga paaralan na mga ito ay hindi pinalalagpas ng pasismo ng estado.
Ang edukasyon ay isang kayamanan na sa bawat pilipino ay napaka ilap. Parang bituin sa langit sa kalangitan na hanggang tanaw lang ang karamihan minsan nariyan madalas nawawala pag may unos na paparating. Ngunit pagkatapos ng unos sumisikat ang araw na nagbibigay sa atin ng pag-asa.
"Nagpasalamat kami sa among mga titser nga bisag ginahasi sa mga sundalo nagpabilin gihapon sa among eskwelahan. Gusto namo makahuman sa among pag eskwela mao nang gusto namo pahawaon na ang mga alamara para maka adto pa ang mga titser namo sa among eskwelahan ug dili kini magsara" .... Talumpati ng isang grade 5 na estudyante ng MISFI ACademy.
Heto po ang isa pang kwentong pinadala sa atin tungkol sa Moving-Up na nabanggit sa naunang kwento.
Sa nagbabasa nito, sana makatulong ka sa mga batang Manobo sa Kapalong para sa pagtupad nila ng kanilang mga pangarap.
Baka may mga tanong ka at gusto mo tumulong. Sulatan mo lang ako sa bakwitdiaries at gmail dot com at sabay nating tulungan ang mga lumad sa Kapalong.
Nangangarap,
Che
PS. Marami pa akong kwento tungkol sa mga lumad na nagbakwit dito sa Davao City dahil sa militarisasyon sa kanilang komunidad at eskwelahan. Sana handa kang marinig sila.
Marami na rin akong napuntahang mga moving up recognition exercise ngunit tagos sa puso ang nasaksihan ko ngayong araw na ito. Ginanap ang 8th Moving UP Recognition Rites ng MISFI Academy sa Davao City ng mga bata at nanay na Ata Manobo mula ng Kapalong Kinder to Grade 5 at mga nanay na nakapag tapos ng Literacy Numeracy Program level 1 at level 2.
Iba't ibang emosyon ang aking naramdaman. Pinipilit kong ikubli ang aking mga luha, luha ng tuwa, poot, galit, lungkot at paglaban.
Galit kung bakit kinakailangan pa na maghanap ng ibang lugar ang akademya para makapagdaos lang ng ganitongseremonyas na maari naman nilang idaos ito sa kanilang lugar ngunit ayaw payagan ng mga sundalo na nasa 60th IB at ng mga Alamara na idaos ito at nagbanta pa na tatadtarin ang sino mang magtatangkang sumuway sa kagaustuhan nila.
Hindi sila pinayagan ng mga sundalo na nasa 60th IB at ng mga Alamara na idaos ito, nagbanta pa na tatadtarin ang sino mang magtatangkang sumuway sa kagustuhan nila.
Noong sabado May 23 kinakailangan naming irescue ang mga magulang at bata para lang makababa sa Davao City para sa kanilang moving up, ilang kilometro ang kailangang lakarin 2 araw na lakaran at mahigit 5 oras na byahe mula sa pinag reskyuhan namin papuntang Davao City dahil hinaharangan sila ng mga sundalo at alamara sa takot nagtago sila sa gilid ng bangin at kung saan para di sila makita.
Ang edukasyon ay isang kayamanan na sa bawat pilipino ay napaka ilap. Parang bituin sa langit sa kalangitan na hanggang tanaw lang ang karamihan minsan nariyan madalas nawawala pag may unos na paparating. Ngunit pagkatapos ng unos sumisikat ang araw na nagbibigay sa atin ng pag-asa.
Mga naiisip sa seremonyang Moving-up
Dear Diary,
Heto ang ilang larawan mula sa kagaganap na 8th Moving-up & Recognition Ceremonies ng MISFI Academy sa Sitio Muling, Barangay Gupitan, Kapalong, Davao del Norte. Ginanap ang seremonya dito sa Davao City dahil hindi sila pinayagan ng mga militar at paramilitar (Alamara) na gawin ito sa kanilang Barangay. Eskwelahan daw ito ng NPA. Ang mga guro daw ay mga NPA. Ang gusto pa ng Alamara ay sunugin na ang kanilang eskwelahan para hindi na ito magbubukas sa susunod na taon. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin nagagawa ng MISFI Academy ang enrollment sa Barangay Gupitan dahil sa pananakot ng grupong Alamara na sinusuportahan at inaarmasan ng Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Ang mga larawang ito ay kuha ng isang IP rights advocate na magkahalong natutuwa, nalulungkot, at nagagalit sa patuloy na pandarahas ng mga militar (60th IB) at paramilitar na Alamara sa nasabing eskwelahan.
Sa nagbabasa nito, sana makatulong ka sa mga batang Manobo sa Kapalong para sa pagtupad nila ng kanilang mga pangarap.
Baka may mga tanong ka at gusto mo tumulong. Sulatan mo lang ako sa bakwitdiaries at gmail dot com at sabay nating tulungan ang mga lumad sa Kapalong.
Nangangarap,
Che
PS. Marami pa akong kwento tungkol sa mga lumad na nagbakwit dito sa Davao City dahil sa militarisasyon sa kanilang komunidad at eskwelahan. Sana handa kang marinig sila.
Heto ang ilang larawan mula sa kagaganap na 8th Moving-up & Recognition Ceremonies ng MISFI Academy sa Sitio Muling, Barangay Gupitan, Kapalong, Davao del Norte. Ginanap ang seremonya dito sa Davao City dahil hindi sila pinayagan ng mga militar at paramilitar (Alamara) na gawin ito sa kanilang Barangay. Eskwelahan daw ito ng NPA. Ang mga guro daw ay mga NPA. Ang gusto pa ng Alamara ay sunugin na ang kanilang eskwelahan para hindi na ito magbubukas sa susunod na taon. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin nagagawa ng MISFI Academy ang enrollment sa Barangay Gupitan dahil sa pananakot ng grupong Alamara na sinusuportahan at inaarmasan ng Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Ang mga larawang ito ay kuha ng isang IP rights advocate na magkahalong natutuwa, nalulungkot, at nagagalit sa patuloy na pandarahas ng mga militar (60th IB) at paramilitar na Alamara sa nasabing eskwelahan.
Sa nagbabasa nito, sana makatulong ka sa mga batang Manobo sa Kapalong para sa pagtupad nila ng kanilang mga pangarap.
Baka may mga tanong ka at gusto mo tumulong. Sulatan mo lang ako sa bakwitdiaries at gmail dot com at sabay nating tulungan ang mga lumad sa Kapalong.
Nangangarap,
Che
PS. Marami pa akong kwento tungkol sa mga lumad na nagbakwit dito sa Davao City dahil sa militarisasyon sa kanilang komunidad at eskwelahan. Sana handa kang marinig sila.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)