DEBRIEFING. Nurses of the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education's Lamitan City Division conduct psychosocial debriefing to school children as classes resumed at the Simbangon Elementary School, Lamitan City, Basilan province on Tuesday (April 18, 2023). The school was closed on March 28 after the relatives of Simbangon village chief Robert Jalal figured in armed clashes. (Photo courtesy of Ronda del Basilan)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Classes resumed at the Simbangon Elementary School in Lamitan City, Basilan province on Tuesday, three weeks after the school was closed due to a “rido” (clan war) among family members of the village chief.
Myra Borja Mangkabung, the Lamitan City Schools Division superintendent, said the school's Peace Initiative in School (PIS) activity led to the resumption of classes.
The PIS activity included the conduct of psychosocial debriefing to students and dialogue with the parents and the community by the nurses of the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education’s Lamitan City Division.
On Tuesday, Mangkabung, together with the security sector, city government, and barangay officials, led the flag-raising ceremony at the school with learners and their parents in attendance.
Mangkabung noted that both parents and students were "visibly elated" as they entered their respective classrooms.
During the program, the local government distributed grocery packs and rice to the children and residents of the village.
On March 28, the school was closed after relatives of Simbangon village chairperson Robert Jalal figured in an armed confrontation.
At least 108 students attending school in the village were affected by the skirmishes.
Tension further gripped the village after Jalal was ambushed along the highway in Barangay Maloong San Jose, Lamitan City on April 3.
Jalal and two others were injured while his driver was killed in the ambush.
According to Simbangon Councilor Maarin Kamauddin, the conflict terrorized villagers who heard intermittent sounds of gunfire for the past several weeks.
Lt. Col. Arlan Delumpines, Lamitan City Police chief, and Lt. Col. Cyryl Santander, the Army’s 18th Infantry Battalion commander, vowed to keep the peace and order in the village.
Meanwhile, Delumpines said criminal charges have been filed against the seven suspects in the ambush of Jalal.
He identified the principal suspect and alleged mastermind of the ambush as Ibno Asalul, the first cousin of the village official. (PNA)
