The progressive Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives slammed the “gestapo-like abduction” of students and teachers in a Lumad school in Cebu City.

“We will seek a congressional investigation on this gestapo-like abduction so that we can help in stopping this evil modus against our youth,” House Deputy Minority Leader Carlos Zarate said in a statement on Monday, February 15. 

“This is truly outrageous and condemnable. The Lumad students are there because the military destroyed their schools in Mindanao and now even in their evacuation or bakwit school they are being harassed and abducted,” the Bayan Muna congressman added. 

On Monday morning, Central Visayas police entered the University of San Carlos (USC) Talamban Campus to conduct what they called a “rescue operation” of around 40 Lumad minors. 

But videos of the raid showed the children screaming as the police forcefully took them away. At least 25 individuals were arrested. 

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Kabataan Representative Sarah Elago slammed the police operation, arguing that there was no need to rescue the Lumad students and teachers since they have been temporarily residing at the makeshift education centers within USC.

“Lumikas sila sa kanilang mga pamayanan dahil sa tindi ng militarization at pagpapasara ng mga Lumad schools. Ngayon, nakararanas na naman sila ng banta sa seguridad at atake sa mismong lugar kung saan sila naghanap ng ibayong sanktuwaryo at nagsisikap makapagpatuloy ng pag-aaral,” Elago said.

(They fled their communities because of the intensified militarization and closure of Lumad schools. Now, they are experiencing threats to security and attacks in the place where they sought sanctuary and where they are striving to continue their studies.)

“Ang mga paaralan ay dapat na ligtas na lugar para sa mga estudyante, kabataan, at guro, at malayo sa karahasan at panghihimasok ng mga pulis at militar. Itigil na ang mga banta at atake sa kapakanan at karapatan sa pansariling pagpapasya ng mga pambansang minorya,” she added. 

(Schools are supposed to be safe zones for students, the youth, and teachers, and should be free from violence and interference of the police and the military. Stop the threats and attacks against the right to self-determination of our national minorities.)

On Tuesday, February 16, ACT Teachers Representative France Castro called for the immediate release of those arrested, among them volunteer teacher and Iskolar ng Bayan Chad Booc.

“Anong panganib ang nararanasan ng mga kabataang Lumad para kinailangan silang ‘irescue’ ng mga pulis? Kitang-kita sa video na lalong nakaranas ng panganib ang mga kabataang Lumad noong simulang kunin at arestuhin ng mga pulis ang kanilang mga guro at kapwa mag-aaral,” she added. 

(What dangers were the the young Lumad experiencing to prompt the police to “rescue” them? The video clearly shows that the Lumad children experienced being in danger when the police started arresting their teachers and co-students.)

No less than USC president Father Narciso Cellan Jr and members of the Societas Verbas Divini Philipines Southern Province already denied the police’s claims that the Lumad children were allegedly being held captive by militant groups inside campus grounds. – Rappler.com