DepEd hear AFP atrocities in schools
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In a dialogue arranged by the Office of ACT Teachers Partylist Representative Antonio Tinio last September 10, cases of human rights violations and attacks of schools by government soldiers were presented to Undersecretary Alberto Muyot for Legal and Legislative Affairs and Butch Rufino of the Indigenous Peoples Education Office of the Department of Education.
By ADELA WAYAS
QUEZON CITY — A memorandum of agreement is now being worked out between the Department of Education and institutions or communities with non-formal education on the issue of attacks on schools.
IP GROUPS-DEPED DIALOGUE. Kalumaran Secretary General Dulphing Ogan presented cases of militarization and attacks on schools by the state security forces in Mindanao and their recommendations to DepEd while Claire Ann Mocca from B’laan tribe, a parateacher in a community in Sarangani, was holding back her tears while recounting her ordeal with the military when her class of 30 pupils were harrassed by military. Photo by Brenda S. Dacpano
Dulphing Ogan, Secretary General of Kusogsa Katawhang Lumad sa Mindanao (Kalumaran)or Alliance of Indigenous Peoples in Mindanao narrated several documented cases of vilification of schools and human rights violations done by government soldiers. He said alternative learning centers and literacy-numeracy schools in remote areas of Saranggani, Agusan del Sur, Bukinon, Surigao del Sur and Davao City were being questioned by the military and were subjected to red baiting. “Even our teachers and parateachers were harassed and interrogated by the soldiers. They say our schools are schools of the terrorists or the New Peoples Army,” Ogan said.
Meanwhile, because of the presence of the government’s soldiers in the communities particularly in schools, teachers, parateachers, other school personnel and school children are afraid to attend their classes. Claire Mocca, a parateacher of the Blaan Community Literacy School, shared that they were interrogated and threathened by the soldiers of the 73rd IB infront of the children. “Kami daw ay mga NPA, kayang-kaya daw nila kaming patayin,” she narrated.
The government’s neglect of the education sector spurred religious and non-government institutions to help these communities in building their schools, explained Sr. Famita Somogod of the Rural Missionaries in Mindanao-Northern Mindanao Region.
Jude Baggo of the Cordillera Human Rights Alliance also shared the Division Memo released by the Division Office in Baguio City allowing and involving the school children in the counter-insurgency campaigns of the AFP. A presentation “Knowing your Enemy” was presented to elementary and high school students.
The dialogue ended with significant points and positive agreements. USEC Muyot said the very immediate action to prevent human rights violations and attacks on schools is to enter into a memorandum of agreement between them and the institutions managing non-formal schools. The MOA is to formalize the recognition of these schools including the accreditation of IP schools.
Aside from the MOA, a memorandum will also be released by DepEd following the provisions of the RA7610 and the Optional Protocol on Children to withdraw the Division memo in Baguio City and not to allow further counter-insurgency activities in the schools.
The Undersecretary also agreed to formulate an appropriate procedure or Manual in setting up schools in IP communities. He also suggested to have a quarterly dialogue with the stakeholders of the IP schools including KATRIBU and ACT Teachers Partylists for monitoring cases and updating concerns in these schools. Butch Rufino in coordination with KATRIBU Partylist will visit the schools identified by the group in Bukidnon, Mindoro and Surigao.
Rep Tinio said the commitment of the Undersecreatry to issue a memorandum to prevent counterinsurgency actions in schools and arranging for regular dialogue is very significant.“Pagkakataon natin ito upang maipakita ang mga kalagayan at pangangailangan ng mga IP communities,” he said.
Katribu President Beverly Longid also added that when the MOA is sealed, non-formal schools including its teachers and other school personnel can finally have government recognition that they work for the development of these communities and for the education of the people.
She said that with regards to the schools, the government must strictly comply with the provisions of the RA7610 or Special Protections of Children against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination.
Longid also pointed out that attacks on IPs and any forms of political vilification must end now.“The government should address these human rights violations to fulfill its commitment to international humanitarian agreements and programs on IP,” Longid said.
On the other hand, Tyrone Beyer, policy advocacy officer of Philippine Task Force for Indigenous Peoples’ Rights said it is very important to follow up the commitments of DepEd for advancement of educationin IP and non-IP communities where government services are lacking or absent.“The dialogue is a good start at realizing the good intentions of these NGOs and the IPs initiative to be educated not only in writing and reading but also in their own culture and values,” Beyersaid. # nordis.net
