Martial arts for students

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Council has proposed basic self-defense training for students in public elementary and high school to defend themselves against lawless elements.

The council passed a resolution suggesting that martial arts be included in physical education curriculum of elementary and secondary.

Authored by Councilor Edgardo, the proposal stated that teaching students the techniques of martial arts is one way to prevent crimes.

Department of Education regional director Recaredo Borgonia and Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama have expressed support to the move.

“Yes, on voluntary basis,” Borgonia said.

He said students who do not want to take martial arts lesson should not be compelled to participate.

In supporting the proposal, Rama said the city already has a program teaching children martial arts at the Cebu City Sports Center.

“Dili dautan nga tudloan ang mga bata og martial arts. Pero angay’ng tan-awon nila kon unsa kadtong mga martial arts nga para pambata,” Rama said.

Labella said statistics showed that from 2006 to 2010, about 70 per cent of robbery victims were 15 to 25 years old, mostly students and young call center workers.

He said amid the criminal activities sweeping the city nowadays, securing the safety of people is of paramount concern.

“Schools can be an effective training ground for students to help defend themselves against lawless elements and to heighten their awareness of efforts toward crime prevention,” Labella explained.

He said schools, through the DepEd, should initiate a program that would include basic self-defense in physical education.

A copy of the resolution will be sent to DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro, Senator Edgardo Angara, chair of the Senate committee on education, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and House Speaker Sonny Belmonte. — /LPM (FREEMAN)