Arrest of Lumad teacher condemned

A representative of Fr. Fausto “Pops” Tentorio Foundation expressed his condemnation against the arrest of Amelia Pond, a teacher and researcher of Salugpongan Schools last August 19 in Cebu.

Fr. Peter Geremia Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME), in a statement issued Monday, vehemently condemned the arrest of Pond.

“I condemn this action by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group for forcibly taking a Lumad teacher and charging her of crimes she has no knowledge of without due process,” Geremia said.

Geremia said that reports from fellow Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP) members bared that Pond was on board a taxi when elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) blocked the car and forced her out.

RMP members said that Pond was shown warrant which she was not able to read, and two Identification cards (IDs) were planted in her bag, the same group also alleged that the CIDG also claimed that Pond was using several aliases and forcibly brought her to their headquarters.

It was later shown that Pond was charged with murder and frustrated murder.

Geremiah, in the same statement said that he had known and met Amelia Pond on some occasions and he had known her for her serious commitment in developing the curriculum of the Sulugpongan schools to better serve the Lumad children.

He added that these schools are also being supported by the late Fr. Fausto “Pops” Tentorio who was a board member of the RMP Southern Mindanao before he passed away.

Geremia added that Pond’s illegal arrest and false charges is a disturbing sign of the Duterte administration as it has promised change.

“While the peace talks are resuming this week, positive gestures are made from both sides such as the release of political prisoners and captured soldiers and police. But now we have a teacher who is arrested. This does not bode well for workers for the mission to serve the lumads,” Geremia said.

He added that he joins the call of the RMP and other church people to release Amelia Pond immediately and these charges be dismissed as it is fabricated and lacks due process.

He also urged the Duterte administration to ensure the safety of Lumad teachers as well as the Lumad children and the evacuees who want to return to their communities.

Fr. Fausto Tentorio or Fr. Pops, is an Italian priest who was gunned down in North Cotabato, in 2011. His death is remains unresolved.