Tell it to SunStar: Suspension of Lumad schools condemned

WE CONDEMN in highest terms the suspension order issued by Department of Education (DepEd) Southern Mindanao on 55 Salugpongan schools across Davao last July 12, 2019.

The order was based on a report by National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon that Salugpongan schools are training Lumad students to rebel and fight against the government.

It is ironic that the institution tasked to “protect and promote the right of every Filipino to quality, equitable, culture-based and complete basic education” is the one which denied Lumad students their right to education.

This move by DepEd is a testament to the brand of service that the Duterte government provides to its people-indifferent to the needs of the poor and marginalized and grounded on self-serving interests.

The least that the DepEd could have done was to conduct an independent investigation to probe on the accusations of Esperon and the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) as well as on the reports of teachers and students on Lumad schools regarding the threats, harassment and attacks they experience at the hands of military and paramilitary forces prior to the issuance of any order.

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