SALINLAHI Alliance for Children’s Concerns challenged the Department of Education to protect the lumad school being harassed by the military in Surigao Sur.  In a dialogue with DEP-ED Secretary Jesli Lapuz, the group brought to his attention the plight of 334 students of the Tribal Forum Program of Surigao del Sur (TRIFPSS) and the Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural Development (ALCADEV) who were part of the internally displaced people now staying at the Diocesan pastoral Center in Tandag since June 18, 2009. 

TRIFPSS initiated and set up eight (8) elementary-level alternative learning schools while ALCADEV set up the agricultural boarding school for high school level lumad students. This alternative learning program was recognized by the DEP-ED through the department’s National Literacy Award in 2001.

According to Sophia Garduce, Spokesperson of Salinlahi, “The school serves as an alternative venue for the Lumad children to develop their skills, knowledge and to be educated, a constitutional responsibility that primarily rests on government. Thus, DEP ED should be among the first to protected and support such initiatives.”

Garduce also said that military personnel under the 4th Infantry Division occupied 15 communities of Lumads in Lianga, Surigao del Sur, since June 10, including the schools which they turned into barracks.  ”Worst, they even accused the students and staff to be members of the New Peoples Army, and branded the school program as a training ground for NPAs.”

Salinlahi also said that this is a prevailing situation in rural communities around the country where the military makes a habit out of occupying school buildings, public structures and even civilian homes as their barracks in pursuit of their military operations.   “We have been receiving anecdotal reports of schools around the country used by the military to stage their operations or as their barracks, post and for other military purposes.  This fact is particularly glaring in Mindanao but is also practiced in other areas,” Garduce said.

Garduce said that Secretary Lapus should be aware that attack on schools and hospitals is among the six (6) grave child rights violations currently monitored by the UN Security Council through the Secretary General’s office.  “We want to end this practice and we call on the DEP-ED to make a stand against the military's continued occupation of schools and civilian structures,” stressed Garduce.

Joining them in the picket-dialogue are teachers from the Alliance of Concerned Teachers, mothers from Gabriela and some Lumad evacuees including a Manobo student and a teacher from ALCADEV. ###