MANILA, Philippines – Education Secretary Armin Luistro told teachers on Monday, February 2, to honor the elite cops who died in the Maguindanao clash by discussing their lives and heroism in class. 

“Iyong bilang ng mga namatay, hindi lang statistics. May mga mukha, may mga pangalan, at may mga pangarap na natigil,” he said in a press conference the day schools raised flags at half mast. (They are not just statistics. They have names, faces, and dreams cut short.)

In a tribute ceremony held by the Department of Education (DepEd), the secretary encouraged the teachers to include in their everyday lessons the lives of each fallen member of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNP-SAF). Through this, the next generation will remember their sacrifices. (READ: The SAF 44: Our sons, our heroes)

In the long term, DepEd aims to incorporate the recent event in modules tackled in classrooms around the Philippines. The teachers, he said, should not limit what they teach to what’s in the textbooks and should incorporte relevant current events in class discussions, or the next generation would be unaware of the cops’ sacrifices.

“Hindi lahat ng leksiyon sa buhay ay mailalagay sa textbooks,” Luistro emphasized. “Nanghihinayang ako na masyado tayong nakatuon sa mga naimprenta na dahil baka ang mga pangyayaring tulad nito ay hindi maisama at baka mawala at makalimutan.” 

(Not all lessons in life can be found in textbooks. It saddens me that since we’re too focused on what is already printed, we might forget the things happening now.)

Teachable moment

Sentiments against the ongoing peace process and for an all-out war in Mindanao rose after the encounter between the SAF troopers and members of the rebel groups Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) on January 25,

However, Luistro believes the unfortunate incident should be seen as a “teachable moment” instead of being a reason to drop efforts for long-term peace.

“Dapat magamit natin ito bilang isang panibagong energy booster,” he said. “May panibagong 44 na nasawi. Dadagdagan ba natin ito o tayo ba ngayon ay tataya na para sa kapayapaan?”

(We should use this as an energy booster. Another 44 lives have been lost. Are we going to add more or we’re finally going to push for peace?)

Teachers were also told to “embrace” the responsibility of raising awareness among students, especially those residing in Luzon, on the situation in Mindanao and the importance of peace.

“Hindi naman talaga ito agad-agad naiintindihan,” Luistro said. “Mas lalong dapat natin itong pag-usapan sa mga eskuwelahan dahil, bilang mga educators, isa sa mga dapat isulong natin ay ang kapayapaan.”

(We have to consider that these things cannot be understood immediately. This is why we should talk about these in classrooms because, as educators, one of our advocacies should be peace.)

Lorabelle Peralta, a teacher at the Oranbo Elementary School, appreciates the idea. According to her, it will push for better understanding and lessen misconceptions.

“Maganda talaga na isama nila sa pagtuturo ang kasalukuyang nangyayari,” she told Rappler. “Isa itong paraan para mamulat ang mga estudyante at maging mas aktibo sa social issues.”

(It’s great that they’re going to include in our teachings the recent news. This is a way for the students to be aware and be more active in social issues.)

Changed perception

The country joined the grieving families of the fallen SAF members as Malacañang declared January 30 as National Day of Mourning.

As a lot of questions remain unanswered about what the government labeled as a “misencounter,” Luistro hopes the public’s – or at least the students’ – perception of members of the uniformed forces in the country will change for the better.

“Isipin ‘nyo, ang pula sa bandila ay hindi lamang kulay. Ang pula na iyan ay galing sa dugo ng ating kapulisan na nag-alay ng kanilang buhay para sa atin,” the education secretary said.

(Always remember that the red in the Philippine flag isn’t just a color. That also symbolizes those who have given their lives for the country.) – Rappler.com