CNTs, front groups continue to deprive SurSur IPs of education, social services in SurSur

From the Philippine Information Agency (Mar 4, 2020): CNTs, front groups continue to deprive SurSur IPs of education, social services in SurSur (By 3rd Special Forces Battalion, PA)

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Mar. 4 -- The residents of Sitio Simuwao (Kilometer 9), Diatagon, in Lianga town sought refuge in Sitio Neptune (Kilometer 6) near the military detachment as they reported intimidation and harassments by the Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs) and Malahutayong Pakigbisog Alang sa mga Sumusunod (MAPASU) on February 28 to postpone the scheduled ocular inspection of the proposed Department of Education (DepEd) indigenous peoples (IP) government school site.

The DepEd IP schools will replace the inactive, non-DepEd accredited and alleged communist-influenced school of Tribal Filipino Program of Surigao del Sur (TRIFPSS).

“There are upcoming Serbisyo Caravans and other implementation of development programs like the establishment of DepEd accredited IP schools. As usual, the CNTs resorted to intimidation by threatening defenseless residents and even Lianga Local Government Unit officials to delay the implementation," said Lt. Colonel Joey Baybayan, 3rd Special Forces “Arrowhead” Battalion Commander.

It can be recalled that Surigao del Sur Governor Alexander Pimentel has offered MAPASU leaders to have its schools accredited by the DepEd during the dialogue at Sitio Simuwao last 2019 in the presence of Bayan Muna representatives and their allied religious groups. The governor pledged unequivocal support just to make these schools accredited as he shared his concern for the education of the students of these schools and fully agreed with the need for the government to uplift the quality of learning. However, such plea fell on deaf ears as the MAPASU leaders insisted to operate on their own as they fear that having their schools accredited by the government would make the affected residents and the students realize their continued exploitation on them to become agents of violence, killing and nation-destruction.

“This is a crucial point. This kind of situation will define the character and leadership of our fellow local government officials and will test their commitment to End Local Communist Armed Conflict through delivering basic social services despite CNTs threats. We, in the military, will always be on our foot to perform our duty to assist them as we have the oath to protect the state, the country, and the people. We are always ready to answer the call of duty to support the implementation of EO 70 just to end this conflict in our area of responsibility,” said Colonel Allan Hambala, 401st Infantry Brigade Commander.

"The government wants to put up a DepEd-accredited school to provide quality education for IPs and deliver social services to address the root causes of insurgency. Yet, MAPASU, the Communist NPA terrorists and their allied groups continuously prevent it by any violent means such as their recent attack on defenseless civilians. This situation only made the people and the nation more aware that it is they who deprive the IPs of quality education, not the government. Their actions contradict their placards’ battle cry during their scripted rallies which says, 'IP has the right for free and quality education,'” said LTC Baybayan.

The members of MAPASU consolidated in Sitio Han-ayan (Kilometer 16) while threatened KM 9 residents proceeded to Sitio Neptune, where a CAFGU detachment is established, along with their relatives to seek for safety and protection against the CNTs and MAPASU leaders’ continued harassment. (Lt. Krisjuper Andreo Punsalan, CMO-3SFBn/PIA-Surigao del Sur)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1035554