Community schools cry intimidation by military forces in opening of classes

THE Salugpongan Ta’Tanu Igkanogon Community Learning Center Inc. (STTILCI) condemns the intimidation of the military and paramilitary forces against our teachers, students and community members in Talaingod, Davao del Norte in the opening of this school year.

We call out local officials and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to stop these attacks on schools and pull out their troops in compliance of laws barring armed personnel from occupying schools and communities.

Military troops have occupied our schools and conducted roving operations that hamper members of our schools since the start of our preparation of schools since early last week.

In the Tibucag campus in Barangay Dagohoy, Talaingod, Davao del Norte, 20 elements of the Army’s 51st Infantry Battalion camping inside the school since May 29, accosted the community teachers who arrived there bringing school supplies and list of enrollees for this school year. The soldiers asked for the teachers’ ID and asked that they could continue occupy the school. Such request intimidated the teacher that he had to find another house for security.

In Sitio KM 30, Barangay Dagohoy, Talaingod, the teachers said soldiers in full battle gear had been roving the schools, and would evade the teachers who would approach them for questioning. Around 25 soldiers were seen occupying at least six households.

In Sitio KM 17 also in Barangay Dagohoy, the teacher arrived in her school to find around 23 soldiers camping within the school. The teacher confronted the military and told them they are not allowed to stay. The soldiers did not offer any reason or apology for their occupation and left.

In Sitio Laslasakan, Barangay Palma Gil, Talaingod, the teachers were warned by community leaders not to proceed to the school as more than 40 soldiers had set camp in the campus. The teachers stayed in the neighboring community school for a couple of days, but still the soldiers did not leave the school area. The teachers also reported that motorcycle drivers are being held by military checkpoints who would check on their IDs and question who are their passengers.

In Sitio Nasilaban, also in Barangay Palma Gil, on June 3, armed soldiers entered the campus and interrupted the students and teachers who were cleaning the school by asking the whereabouts of the other teachers. The teachers at that time held a meeting in the Salugpongan office to discuss these recent incidents of violations against school.

In morning of June 4, during the flag ceremony, students noticed a flying machine which we suspect is a drone hovering above them. That morning, soldiers arrived and ordered the students to harvest vegetables and bring the produce directly to the camp.

We condemn these series of events as violations of international and national laws protecting schools from the presence of armed personnel in the school and in communities. As these incidents have affected 241 students and 11 teachers in five campuses.

This is a cycle of attacks on the Lumads that happens year in and out, and we urge government to be accountable to these attacks on schools.