Kalinaw News: LGU Arakan inaugurates public school in former NPA-influenced barangay

Posted to Kalinaw News (May 8, 2022): LGU Arakan inaugurates public school in former NPA-influenced barangay



MAWAB, Davao De Oro – The Local Government Unit (LGU) of Arakan, in collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the 10th Infantry “Agila” Division led the inauguration of a new two-classroom building in Brgy. Maria Caridad, Arakan, North Cotabato on May 5, 2022.

The LGU of Brgy. Maria Caridad issued Barangay Resolution No. 37 supporting the transfer of students of Father Fausto Tentorio Memorial School Inc. (FFTMSI) to a local public school after the community petitioned to transfer their children to a public school. Moreover, FFTMSI failed to secure a permit to operate from DepEd for Calendar Year 2021 – 2022.

In a separate interview with Mr. Roberto Rosete alias Bobby/Alex, former Commanding Officer of Pulang Bagani Battalion, Regional Operations Command, and former Secretary of Guerilla Front 53 of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee of the Communist Terrorist Group, FFTMSI schools in Brgy. Maria Caridad, Arakan and in Brgy. Mahongcog, Magpet used to be the wellspring of New People’s Army (NPA) recruitment. Ka Bobby said that FFTMSI was established to strengthen the NPA’s mass base in its predominantly Indigenous People (IP) populated area. “Ang NPA dili lang more on armado, nagahatag pud siya ug programa. Naay parte diha sa pagtuon sa mga bata na dahan-dahan gina dawat ning armado, mao na siya ang BAGER (Baseng Guerilla) services. Laktod pa, indirect pagpakusog sa armed struggle.” (The NPA does not only perform military functions, it also provides programs. Part of it includes teaching students to accept armed struggle which is part of their guerilla base services. In short, it serves to indirectly support the armed struggle.) Rosete added.

With this, LGU Arakan prioritized the construction of a school building, worth Php300,000 for secondary students in order to deliver quality education to the people and children thereat who was once deceived by the CTG. Moreover, an additional Php1,300,000 from LGU Arakan including Php800,000 from the Provincial LGU of North Cotabato will be further allocated for the construction of an additional two (2) four-classroom buildings which will be released after the election period. Also, LGU Arakan allocated an additional Php800,000 for the pay and allowances of the teachers that will be employed in the said school.

In his speech, Agila Division Commander MGen Nolasco A Mempin said that the government through NTF ELCAC is at the peak of its success in fighting insurgency. He said that the school building is proof that our government is doing its best to provide quality education to our youth.

Barangay Maria Caridad was once one of the CTG-influenced barangays in Arakan, but now it was declared “cleared” through the 10ID Area Clearing Validation Board on April 26, 2022.

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