Thursday, July 30, 2020

NoCot council to probe schools 'teaching' anti-gov’t doctrine

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 30, 2020): NoCot council to probe schools 'teaching' anti-gov’t doctrine (By Edwin Fernandez)



PROBE ON SCHOOLS. North Cotabato Governor Nancy Catamco stresses a point during the joint Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) at the provincial capitol conference hall in Kidapawan City on Wednesday (July 29, 2020). The governor agrees with other PPOC members to look into the teaching program of schools operated by the Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation Incorporated (MISFI) in the province on the alleged anti-government teaching at the school system. (Photo courtesy of North Cotabato PIO)

North Cotabato Governor Nancy Catamco on Wednesday ordered the creation of an investigating body to verify reports that several private schools in the province are allegedly being used to promote anti-government ideologies.

Presiding over the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC), Catamco agreed to the proposal of M’lang Mayor Russel Abonado to look into the operation of schools under the Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation Incorporated (MISFI) in the province.


“I guess there is a need for the council to conduct an in-depth or thorough investigation to know whether or not there is indeed a violation on the part of the administration of these MISFI schools on the alleged teaching of insurgencies and ideologies against the government,” Abonado said during the meeting at the provincial Capitol.

Abonado said his proposal has the support of the military. “If indeed, after impartial investigation, there is a violation, we will recommend to the Department of Education the closure of these schools," he said.

The MISFI operates schools in Barangay Kisante, Makilala town; Barangay Batang in Tulunan; Barangay Celo in Magpet; and Barangay Manarapan in Carmen, all in North Cotabato province.

The areas have long been identified by the military as being influenced by the communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels.

Earlier, Colonel Pontenciano Camba, commander of the Army’s 1002nd Infantry Brigade, recommended to the PPOC to look into the operation of the school.

Citing intelligence information, Camba told PPOC members that children in these schools are indoctrinated to hate the government.

“The Army also wanted to find out whether these schools have the permit to operate from the Department of Education,” Camba said.

Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, the incoming Philippine Army chief who was also present during the meeting, said he supported the PPOC's decision to investigate MISFI.

Also during the meeting, Catamco approved the PHP44-million budget to intensify the fight against illegal drugs in the province to be implemented by the Provincial Anti-Illegal Drugs Abuse Council (PADAC).

The funds will be used to support the anti-drug enforcement operation, the provincial anti-drug council, the North Cotabato Kontra-Droga Community Development, education, and prevention program, the establishment of the Provincial Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (Balay Silangan), and development of a community treatment and rehabilitation program.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1110629

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