LEGAL PAPERS. Lumad school teachers Arjay Perez (left) and Michael Fay (right) present to the media the papers and documents that lumad schools in Mindanao possess to counter the claim of President Duterte that lumad schools are illegal. (Alex D. Lopez/davaotoday.com)
MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte reiterated his stand to destroy Lumad schools which he insisted are not licensed to operate under the Department of Education.
Duterte pointed out that such move will enable him to save Lumad children from what he dubbed as ‘perdition’.
The President made the statement on Thursday, July 27 when interviewed by the media during his visit at the wake of six policemen who were ambushed by the New People’s Army in Guihulngan, Negros Oriental.
Duterte clarified he will not include the Lumad children if he would destroy the schools, the reason why he told them to leave.
“Wala akong sinabi na bombahan ko ‘yang may tao kaya sinabi ko umalis kayo diyan. Ibig sabihin, sisirain ko ‘yan because you are using a school without a license from the Department of Education,” Duterte said.
The President further clarified: “Hindi ko sinabi patayin ko ‘yung mga bata. Far from it actually. Librehin ko ang bata sa perdition ninyo (NPAs) because they will learn to be pareho sa inyo.”
He added that laws are being followed in the country when opening schools, to include clearances and other pertinent papers from the government.
Duterte said he will destroy the Lumad schools because it is being used to destroy the mental attitude and mental health of the children.
“They grow up there hating government and going to war pag ka malaki na. You are perpetuating the violence in this country and I have to stop it. I have every reason to stop it because you are producing another generation of haters,” he emphasized.
Duterte threatened to bomb Lumad schools in a press conference after he delivered his second State of the Nation Address last Monday.
Lumad leaders, teachers and students who joined the People’s SONA expressed alarm over Duterte’s declaration.
In a press conference at the “Kampuhan” in Mendiola here on Tuesday, Lumad leaders, students, and teachers asked Duterte for a dialogue and listen to their sentiments.
Teachers also presented pertinent papers that would prove that lumad schools are legally operating in Mindanao. (davaotoday.com)
