Militarized lumad school seek Catholic Bishop's help

CBCP’s help sought over militarized tribal schools

By NewsDesk
July 6, 2015

THE intervention of the influential Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines on the alleged militarized tribal schools in Davao del Norte has been sought by various human rights groups and personalities, including Gabriela Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan.

On Monday, Ilagan joined the Save Our Schools (SOS) Network in appealing for CBCP to take a stand on the situation of tribal schools operated by the Salugpungan Ta Tanu Igkanugon Tribal Center (STTICL) and the Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation, Inc. (Misfi).

Ilagan raised this issue in a meeting with Archbishop Romulo Valles, the vice president of CBCP.

“Aquino’s Oplan Bayanihan and the Department of Education’s collusion with the military in its counterinsurgency operations have further deprived and impoverished indigenous communities,” said the lawmaker from It is important for more sectors, especially the religious to express their support for the Lumads and their call to stop the attacks on Lumad schools,” said Ilagan.

In a May 12 letter to DepEd Region XI Director Alberto Escobarte, Superintendent Josephine Fadul of Davao del Norte recommended the closure of the schools because of the allegation that the schools were used by New People’s Army rebels. She also recommended the construction of a school “utilizing the resources of the military and using soldiers as para-teachers.”

Following protest actions, DepEd decided against Fadul’s recommendation, but the schools are yet to open because of the presence of soldiers in school, something that the military has long denied.

Ilagan said the issuance of permits by DepEd also came with “stringent requirements” as it also refused to revoke DepEd Memorandum 221 which allows military presence in schools.

“It is such a shame that DepEd led by La Salle brother Armin Luistro has also become a willing tool of the AFP in attacking Lumad communities and in closing down Lumad schools,” Ilagan said. “DepEd under Bro. Armin Luistro has no heart for the poor and underprivileged Lumad children.”

The SOS Network will also meet with Sen. Grace Poe and North Cotabato Rep. Nancy Catamco, chairperson of the House committee on National Cultural Communities. The group will also meet with Commission on Human Rights Chair Chito Gascon. | JMT, NewsDesk