Luistro backs 2 NGOs

Former Department of Education (DepEd) secretary Bro. Armin Luistro, FSC, on Tuesday expressed support to two local nongovernment organizations (NGOs) running two schools in the country that are being linked to terrorist activities.

The two schools – the Filipino-Turkish Tolerance School in Zamboanga City and Fountain International School in Metro Manila – have been tagged by Turkish Ambassador to the Philippines Esra Cankorur as having affiliations with Fetullah Gulen or “FETO” which is being held responsible for the failed coup in Turkey in 2016.

The two schools are run and owned by two local foundations “set up by private Filipino and Turkish citizens” – the Integrative Center for Alternative Development Foundation, Inc. (ICAD) and Pacific Dialogue Foundation, Inc. (PDF).

In a statement of support dated July 18, 2017, Luistro noted that he had the “privilege of working closely” with the ICAD as well as PDF in various partnerships with the De La Salle University (DLSU) when he serves as its president from 2004 to 2010.

“Our projects then were aimed at building a culture of dialogue and tolerance, especially for young people who may otherwise grow up in an environment of prejudice and bigotry,” Luistro stressed.

Luistro noted that when he was appointed as DepEd secretary under the Aquino administration, the “same relationship” with ICAD and PDF “continued.” As then Education chief, he had the chance to visit the Filipino Turkish Tolerance Schools in Zamboanga City.

“I have admired their culturally-sensitive programs within an atmosphere of academic excellence where the values of respect for divergent cultures and faiths lead to a more wholistic education for both Filipino and foreign students,” Luistro said.