Rius Valle, spokesperson of the Save Our Schools (SOS) Network, challenges the local government units to take action on the situation of Lumad schools under their localities.(Ace R. Morandante/davaotoday.com)
DAVAO CITY – A group of child-rights advocates lamented the government’s inaction over educational institutions “villified” as New People’s Army schools.
In a press conference on Monday, Rius Valle, spokesperson of Save our Schools (SOS) Network scored a barangay captain in a Bukidnon town for supporting the closure of a school for indigenous peoples.
Valle said village chairman Felipe Cabugnason of Barangay White Culaman in Kitaotao town in Bukidnon is “leading the closure” of a local branch of Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation, Incorporated (Misfi) Academy.
Read: Still no permit for IP schools
Valle said MISFI Academy’s day care centers are not operating, affecting 72 pupils who have stopped schooling “out of fear.”
“We are surprised why the LGUs have not taken any action on this matter,” he said.
Evelyn Cabangal, one of Misfi Academy teachers, recounted an incident on August 26 when their class was disrupted by a military operation.
“At around 1pm, we heard gun fires while our class is ongoing,” she said adding that they hid behind the mountain slope to avoid being hit.
She said their Grade 8 students were nearly hit by the bullets that traversed their school’s rooftop.
Cabangal called on the government to pull-out military troops from their community. (davaotoday.com)
