Online petition seeks to keep Lumad children in schools

MANILA, Philippines – An ongoing online petition addressed to President Benigno Aquino III is calling for the end of the military’s alleged attacks on Lumad schools in Mindanao. It also asked the Department of Education (DepEd) to keep the indigenous children in school.

“We are alarmed that 2,896 Lumad children will be denied of their right to education when the Aquino government closes down Lumad community schools in Davao del Norte,” according to Save Our Schools Network, the group that initiated the Change.org petition 3 months ago.

The petition noted that while schools nationwide started their classes in June, DepEd’s Davao del Norte division shut down Lumad community schools. 

“In a letter dated May 12 addressed to DepEd Region XI Director Alberto Escobarte, DepEd Division of Davao del Norte Superintendent Josephine Fadul endorsed the closure of at least 24 schools of Salugpongan Ta’Tanu Igkanogon Community Learning Center (STTICLC) and Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation Inc Academy (MISFI Academy),” the petition added.

The petition has gained another momentum on Tuesday, September 8, which is the United Nations’ International Literacy Day.

“Education is a basic human right essential in realizing all other human rights. However, most Filipino children are deprived of this right, and peasants and indigenous peoples right to education are far more neglected,” the petition explained.

Save Our Schools Network is a network of NGOs, church-based groups, and advocates of children’s right to education.

Lumad schools attacked?

The petition also condemned the government for its alleged “brutal attacks” on Lumad schools. Because of Oplan Bayanihan, the government’s counter-insurgency program, schools are being used as military camps and outposts used to store armamements, the petition said.

“Due to terror brought about by military presence and the fear of impending danger, students and teachers suffer anxiety. Military operations have disrupted not only the operation of these schools but also the lives and livelihood of Lumad people, in general,” it claimed.

The Children’s Rehabilitation Center (CRC) reported that in 2011 alone, there were 82 incidents of state-instigated attacks in 57 schools in Mindanao. Some 13 cases were reported in Southern Mindanao from January to May 2015.

What’s more disturbing, according to the petition, was DepEd’s support of the military’s actions. Adopting the AFP Directive 25 or Guidelines on the Conduct of AFP Activities Inside or Within the Premises of School or Hospital, the department issued Memorandum 221 in 2013 or the Guidelines on the Protection of Children During Armed Conflict.

“Under both directives, military elements are allowed to conduct ‘civil-military operations’ as long as the AFP has a written request and school authorities have given their approval. Since the issuance of the department order, an increase in the number of military attacks on schools was noted,” the petition said.

It added: “International laws covering conflict situations expressly prohibit the use of public infrastructures such as schools, hospitals, and rural health units for military purposes such as command posts, barracks detachments, and supply depots.”

Rights groups have linked the attacks on the schools to alleged human rights violations committed  by military and paramilitary elements in several Lumad communities in Mindanao.

Netizens have particularly condemned the recent spate of killings, urging the Aquino administration to address the problem. (READ: #StopLumadKillings trends: Nasaan ang Pangulo?)  

The situation has displaced nearly 4,000 indigenous peoples from Surigao del Sur, Bukidnon, Saranggani, and Davao del Norte. – With a report from David Lozada/Rappler.com