AFP to hold graduation rites for schools affected by Maguindanao operations

From GMA News (Mar 21): AFP to hold graduation rites for schools affected by Maguindanao operations

The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Saturday said it will facilitate a joint graduation ceremony for schools in areas affected by the military's all-out offensive against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Maguindanao.

In a press statement, the military said AFP chief Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. supported the decision of Maj. Gen. Edmundo Pangilinan, commander of the Philippine Army's 6th Infantry Division, regarding the issue.

The statement said authorities are still determining a safe area where the ceremonies will be held.
"We need to discuss and take collective decisions together with our partners like the local government units, Philippine National Police and Department of Education," it added.

"We would like to see school children flocking to schools in pursuit of education and better lives," it added. "We are delighted to see them finish school and receive their diplomas and recognition."

Earlier, Maguindanao 1 Schools Division Superintendent Meriam Kawit on Thursday asked the military for a three-day suspension of law enforcement operations, to allow peaceful graduation ceremonies in several areas in the province.

Some 13,000 elementary and secondary students are set for their graduation rites, Kawit said, even as she proposed that the suspension of hostilities could be done from March 25 to 28.

“We are planning to conduct clustered or centralized graduation or we [could] make new platforms where the graduation ceremonies can be held,” Kawit told reporters after the meeting.

However, the military statement did not say if it will grant the three-day suspension request. GMA News Online contacted AFP public affairs chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc for further details, but he was not available.

The military has launched offensive operations against Usman and the members of the BIFF involved in the Jan. 25 encounter with the Philippine National Police Special Action Force in Barangay Tukanalipao in Mamasapano town. The encounter cost the lives of 44 SAF troopers.

The target of the operation was to arrest Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan and Usman. Marwan was believed to have been killed during the operation but Usman managed to escape.

The military offensives are being conducted in four towns in Maguindanao: Salibo, Pagatin, Mamasapano and Shariff Aguak, or the “SPMS box”, where BIFF members are believed to have retreated with Usman.

The military said that as of Saturday, 139 rebels have been killed, while 53 were wounded, and 12 were arrested.

"We have gained the momentum in this fight against lawlessness and we will never abandon our constitutional mandate to protect the people from bandits, criminals and terrorists," it said.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/456489/news/regions/afp-to-hold-graduation-rites-for-schools-affected-by-maguindanao-operations