Malacanang on Thursday described as baseless an allegation
that President Benigno Aquino III has direct hand in the harassment of the
Lumads in Surigao del Sur.
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO)
Secretary Herminio "Sonny" Coloma Jr. said the allegation of ACT
Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio that President Aquino has authorized the
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to close down and occupy Lumad schools in
Mindanao is not true.
”The allegation is baseless and unfounded,” Coloma said in a
media briefing.
Coloma explained that Department of Education (DepEd)
Secretary Armin Luistro was just making sure that the peace and order will be
maintained in the Lumad schools.
”Our teachers are tasked with ensuring the safety of
students,” Coloma said.
He clarified that the government has, in fact, sent peace
caravan represented by different government agencies “to show our commitment to
continue the livelihood programs and economic development for the indigenous
people.”
”The government has firm commitment to protect the rights
and welfare of the indigenous people, including our Lumad brother and sisters,”
Coloma said.
Coloma said Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Leila de
Lima has met with civil society groups and representatives of Lumad to assure
fair and reasonable investigation on the reported harassment against IPs and
Lumads.
He said De Lima’s action was in response to the call of the
United Nation (UN) experts to have a full and independent probe on the alleged
killing of Lumad leaders in Surigao.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=807828
Keep in mind that the source of the allegations is Rep. Antonio Tinio from the ACT Teachers party list political party which is a spin-off from the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) sectoral front organization, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT). ACT is a member of the main CPP multisectoral umbrella front group the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN-New Patriotic Alliance). Rep. Tinio's allegations are part of well-orchestrated and relentless propaganda/disinformation campaign intended to discredit the Aquino administration as well as the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on the lumad issue in Mindanao, especially with regard to areas under the control/influence of the New People's Army (NPA), the military wing of the CPP.
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