The Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday, April 4, denounced the alleged pattern of indiscriminate attacks organized near public schools, reiterating that these result to a traumatizing experience for learners, teaching, and non-teaching personnel alike.

In a joint press conference with the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), DepEd said the attacks were instigated by the New People’s Army (NPA).

“Napansin natin na [itong mga pag atake ay] talagang nilalapit sa ating mga paaralan. Of course, this results to a really traumatizing experience for our learners, teachers, and non-teaching personnel (We have noticed that these attacks are really being conducted close to our schools. Of course, this results to a really traumatizing experience for our learners, teachers, and non-teaching personnel),” said DepEd Spokesperson Michael Poa on Tuesday.

The government officials cited five incidents that happened in 2023, dubbing it as “pattern” for the said attacks. The incidents, according to NTF-ELCAC Usec. Ernesto Torres Jr., happened in the following areas: Eastern Capsay, Baleno in Masbate on Jan. 9;  Guiom, Cawayan in Masbate on Feb. 9; Villahermosa, Cawayan in Masbate on March 20; Locso-An, Placer and Gaid, Dimasalang in Masbate on March 22.

DepEd said more than 55,000 learners and 2,815 DepEd teaching and non-teaching personnel were affected by the attacks in the province of Masbate alone.

Ensuring safety of learners, DepEd personnel

In the same press conference, Poa said they have yet to receive news if there are learners who do not want to attend their classes due to trauma.

“We are monitoring the situation to see if there is a need to give further aid in terms of psychological assistance,” Poa explained.

Prior to the incidents, Poa stressed that DepEd is already doing interventions to ensure the safety of students.

“We already said that we will be coordinating with law enforcement agencies. There [have] been talks with agencies, and in fact [we are drafting a] memorandum of agreement right now with the Philippine National Police,” said Poa, adding that this seeks to strengthen security in schools.

Apart from these, both NTF-ELCAC and DepEd said a "tight coordination" with the security sector is in place to help and guide the students.

Meanwhile, Poa also stated that DepEd will not “abridge” the freedom of teachers to join organizations, but he underscored that they “will not condone teachers who commit or engage in criminal activities.”