THE Mindanao Interfaith Service Foundation Inc. (MISFI) Thursday denounced attacks allegedly perpetrated by government against lumad schools in Davao Oriental and Agusan del Sur.
In a statement emailed to Sun.Star Davao, the MISFI said it may take possible legal actions against the 67th Infantry Battalion under the Army's 10th Infantry Division who is behind the attack.
"What had been transpiring in our schools were attacks instigated by the one body who tagged as maliciously as communist rebels, the Armed Forces of the Philippines," the MISFI said.
It added: "These military personnel never even bother to think of civilian supremacy neither of humanitarian laws nor of rules of the engagements when they attacked our schools and our communities."
The MISFI also dared the local government units (LGUs) in Agusan Del Sur, Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley, and Davao Del Norte to issue a statement belying the military's declaration that order of closing schools come from them.
It further challenged the LGUs to uphold civilian supremacy, the rights of their underprivileged constituents especially the lumads for education.
The military earlier denied involvement in the closure of the lumad schools operated by the Salugpongan Ta ‘TanuIgkanugon Community Learning Center (STTICLC), Inc.
Army's 10th Infantry Division spokesperson Lieutenant Vergel Lacambra said the closure of the schools was due to their non-submission of requirement for renewal to operate this school year.
Lacambra said the Talaingod town tribal leaders were the ones who requested the Department of Education (DepEd) thru resolution to stop the operation of these lumad schools.(ICT)