DAVAO CITY -- The Department of Education (DepEd) in the Davao Region said it may not recognize the validity of Salungpongan classes inside the United Church of Christ of the Philippines (UCCP) compound here because the government permit granted to tribal schools are location-specific, and may not be used anywhere else other than in areas where the educational facility is located.
Jenielito Atillo, DepEd-11 spokesperson, issued the clarification on Monday following reports that schools belonging to the Salugpongan Ta’Tanu Igkanugon Community Learning Center, Inc. (STTICLCI) in Davao del Norte have resumed classes inside the premises of the UCCP.
This, after the Salugpongan schools figured in a controversy late last year following allegations from military and police that the campuses were being used as recruitment centers of the New People's Army (NPA).
"The permit can only be used in the location of the school to which it was issued,” Atillo said in the local dialect in a phone interview.
Nerhaya Talledo, head of the STTICLCI Basic Education, in a press release dated Jan. 7, said Salugpongan schools have resumed classes inside the UCCP Haran House where some Indigenous Peoples’ (IP) children have sought temporary sanctuary.
In the same press release, executive director Meggie Nolasco defended the transfer of Salungpongan classes inside the UCCP-Haran compound.
"When Lumad schools are attacked, it is no exaggeration to say that the future of Indigenous Peoples is at stake,” Nolasco said.
Atillo said DepEd has offered Salungpongan learners the chance to transfer to public schools near the UCPP Haran compound where they currently stay.
“We offer our public schools nearby. We recommend that they send the children there so that their education can be counted,” the DepEd-11 official said.
Atillo, however, said DepEd has no authority to enter the UCPP Haran compound to force the children out because it is private property.
It may be recalled that tribal leaders in the Davao del Norte town of Talaingod and local government officials closed the schools late last year, alleging that the campuses were being used by the NPA as training and recruitment ground.
An organization of IP leaders in Mindanao had earlier declared the NPA "persona non grata" in tribal lands all over the island, accusing the rebel group of multiple atrocities that have lasted for decades.
The NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union. (PNA)
