BUTUAN CITY – Top leaders of the indigenous peoples (IPs) in Surigao del Sur expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the government for assisting them in the fight to stop the operation of Communist-linked schools in their highland communities, and constructing a school that can extend quality learning for their children.
“We won the fight to have quality education,” Hawudon Jumar S. Bucales, Lianga Indigenous People Mandatory Representative (IPMR), and Datu Constancio Duhac, Lianga Tribal Chieftain, said during the recent inauguration ceremony of two Department of Education (DepEd) IP Schools of Living Traditions to the IP communities and the local government units in Sitio Simowao in Lianga and Sitio Lucnodon in Marihatag, both in Surigao del Sur province.
Before the construction of the DepEd-IP Schools, IP leaders appealed to the government to give them a school that could provide good quality learning for their children, and replace the non-DepEd accredited and Communist New People’s Army (NPA)-linked school in their highland community.
Surigao del Sur IP leaders have been vocal in their support to the (National Task Force (NTF)-ELCAC.
“When the government addresses the root causes of insurgency and confronts the NPAs through combat operations, they opposed. But when it comes to NPAs’ killings of innocent IP leaders and members, they were quiet,” they said.
“Some militant and communist front organizations simply cover up the NPAs and discredits the government forces that are enforcing the laws against NPAs,” Datu Rico Maca, IPMR of San Miguel Surigao Del Sur also said.
Surigao Sur IP leaders have sought the help of the Regional Task Force on Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) to abolish the Communist-linked schools, and replace them with DepEd IP schools.
“The best weapon we can use to counter terrorism is to teach the children the genuine essence of peace,” said Third Special Forces Battalion commander Lt. Col. Joey B. Baybayan.
“These DepEd IP schools will not only provide quality education but also the right values that can preserve and even develop the culture and tradition of our indigenous peoples,” the 3rd SFBn commander said
Surigao del Sur province, DepEd Caraga, RTF-ELCAC member agencies, particularly the Regional Peace and Order Committee (RPOC) and Regional Development Council (RDC), stood by the guiding principle that the ‘state shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all’, Baybayan said.
This was the reason why they worked hard to establish the schools so that the IP communities in the conflict-affected areas may have access to good and quality education, he added.
“Quality IP education is what the IP wants and we raised it to the RTF-ELCAC to address it,” also said 401st Infantry Brigade commanding general Brig. Gen. Allan D. Hambala.
Former rebels and IP leaders’ testimonies, and recovered documents from combat encounters against NPAs which served as substantial evidences unearthed the symbiotic relationship of Communist-linked schools and the NPA terrorist movement in Surigao del Sur, 3rd SFBn Civil Military Operations (CMO) officer First Lt. Krisjuper Andreo J. Punsalan said.
Surigao Del Sur Governor Alexander T. Pimentel, DepEd 13 Regional Director Francis Bringas, RDC-SDC chairman and Bayugan City Mayor Kirk A. Asis, Fourth Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Andres C. Centino AFP, Surigao Provincial IPMR Datu Jimmy Guinsod, Lianga Mayor Novelita M Sarmen and Marihatag Mayor Marc Justine Pelenio, with RTF-ELCAC member agencies, were present in the ceremonial turn-over of DepEd IP schools on Wednesday, September 16.
“The RTF-ELCAC’s thrust is to address the root causes of insurgency and NPA terrorism to put an end to the protracted war waged by the Communist NPA Terrorists that have been draining the country’s resources and have wasted many Filipinos’ lives for over five decades,” Punsalan added.