Delegates of the National Solidarity Mission to Talaingod, Davao del Norte in a military checkpoint in Sitio Igang, Brgy Palma Gil, Talaingod Wednesday night, November 28. (Photo courtesy of Save Our Schools Network)
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — A team of the National Solidarity Mission in Talaingod Davao del Norte were stranded on Wednesday night after government troopers from the 56thInfantry Battalion blocked the team’s convoy heading to Sitio Igang, Barangay Palma Gil in Talaingod, Davao del Norte.
Meggie Nolasco, executive director of Salugpongan community schools, said that soldiers stopped the team at a military checkpoint in Sitio Igang around 8:00 this evening. She said the soldiers required each member of the team to log their names in a logbook as proof of their attendance in the area.
“We condemn this move of the military. Clearly this is a form of harassment mean to delay the delivery of goods and services in the lumad community school,” Nolasco said in a phone interview.
The National Solidarity Missionwill be delivering school supplies and goods at Salugpongan Ta’Tanu Igkanogon Community Learning Center, Nolasco said.
Members of the mission include former Bayan Muna Representative Satur Ocampo, ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro and Pia Malayao of KATRIBU Partlist.
She said the mission was organized after the same army unit and members of the paramilitary group Alama blocked last November 25 the entry of foods to proceed in the communities of Barangay Palma Gil, Talaingod Davao del Norte.
Earlier this evening, Nolasco said that paramilitary group Alamara padlocked the Dulyan campus of Salugpongan Ta’Tanu Igkanogon Community Learning Center Inc. (STTICLCI) in Talaingod, Davao del Norte.
“About 15 to 20 members of the ALAMARA were seen loitering around the school’s vicinity, harassing the students, teachers and locals which prompted the volunteer teachers to seek a safe sanctuary,” Nolasco said.
Meanwhile, PASAKA Secretary General Jong Monzon condemned the incident.
“Gipasarado nila ang eskwelahan kay gusto nila dili makatuon ang mga bata, para dali lang nila ilaron, ug dali ra ilaron sa ilahang amo nga dagkong kumpanya sa mina nga naka-ung-ong dinha sa Pantaron Mountain Range,” Monzon said. (davaotoday.com)
