Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte appealed to parents during an event in Koronadal City, South Cotabato, telling them to “force” their children to go to school and keep them out of the way of extremism and violence.

She was the guest of honor during the city’s Hinugyaw Festival and 83rd Foundation Anniversary at the South Cotabato Sports Complex on Tuesday, Jan. 10.

“Education is a liberating force. I cannot overemphasize to all adults here in Mindanao — we should force our children to go to school,” Duterte told the audience who attended the event despite the downpour there.

“The Department of Education is implementing a stronger child protection mechanism in our school communities - another layer of defense against the recruitment and exploitation of children and youth,” she added.

The Vice President, who leads the Education department in a concurrent capacity, assured parents that the country’s Armed Forces are “working hard” to “weed out” extremist groups.

“While our government armed forces are working hard to weed out these groups and keeping civilian Filipinos safe, we must ensure that we do our share to protect our peace and order and keep our communities free from fear and violence,” she said.

In a post on Facebook, Duterte said her message to the audience in Koronadal City is a look back at the progress of the city while also calling them to not be lured by terrorism and teaching them the importance of education.

She lauded the people there for braving the rains to celebrate the city’s foundation.

“Hindi natinag ng malakas na ulan ang ating mga kababayan sa (The strong rains did not stop our fellowmen in) Koronadal City, South Cotabato na nagdiriwang ngayon ng kanilang ika-83 taong anibersaryo at ika-23 (that is celebrating today their 83rd anniversary and 23rd) Hinugyaw Festival,” she wrote on Facebook.