ARMED Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Brigadier General Restituto Padilla Jr. assured Friday that government forces have no plans to bomb educational facilities of indigenous peoples.
Padilla made the assurance after President Rodrigo Duterte announced his plan to order police and military to bomb Lumad schools that are operating without securing permits from the Department of Education (DepEd).
Padilla said the President was merely sending a “very strong” warning that indigenous peoples’ “illegal” school cannot function if it does not comply with the government’s rules and regulations.
“[Duterte’s warning is] not intended to really destroy the community but to extend a message, very strong message, to the people behind the organization of these illegal learning institutions to comply with government’s regulations,” Padilla told a press conference.
“The bombing [remark of Duterte] is merely a way, a style of communication so it would sound compelling. But doing that will not happen. I’m sure of that. The President is among the most compassionate. His language is strong but when you talk about you, the President is becoming soft-hearted,” he added.
Last Monday, the Chief Executive issued a stern warning that he would burn the Lumads’ educational centers after 300 of them joined the protests against his second State of the Nation Address (Sona).
Around 300 Lumads reportedly staged protests during Duterte's Sona on July 24 to express their sentiments over the President's declaration of martial law in Mindanao.
Duterte said he was mulling to bomb Lumad schools because these are being used to teach children about “subversion and communism.”
In an interview in Negros Oriental on Thursday, he said he does not intend to bomb the Lumad children and emphasized that he merely wants to save them from “perdition” as they have been taught to “hate government and eventually go to war.”
“They grow up hating government and going to war. You are perpetrating violence in this country and I have to stop it. I have every reason to stop it (illegal Lumad school) because you are producing another generation of haters. Do not fool me. You’re just teaching socialism and killings,” Duterte said.
Communications Assistant Secretary Marie Banaag, who joined Padilla at the press conference, said there are still "legitimate" Lumad schools that complied with government's requirements.
Banaag mentioned only three Left-oriented indigenous peoples’ schools that are yet to get authorization from DepEd, namely Alternative Learning Center for Agriculture and Livelihood Development Incorporated (Alcadev); Center for Lumad Advocacy and Services Incorporated or the Clans; and the Salugpungan Community Learning Center.
“The DepEd adds that Alcadev of Surigao has no permit to operate and refused to get a permit from the Department of Education. The Clans, on the other hand, has been given three months to comply with DepEd's requirements," she said.
Padilla said the President was only concerned with the young generation of indigenous peoples who are being “brainwashed” to take part in the rebellion against the government.
“If you target very young minds, vulnerable minds, and try to sway them to a certain kind of thinking, that is like brainwashing. So that’s wrong,” the military spokesperson said.
“At a young age, the children should be taught of right values. And what are those? Fear of God, love of country, love of family, the appreciation of correct values that you want your citizens to have. And these schools are not teaching that,” he added. (SunStar Philippines)