Albayalde dared to visit Lumad schools to check 'communist' lessons

MANILA, Philippines— A lawmaker on Sunday challenged Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde to visit Lumad schools where students are allegedly being taught communism.

“Lumang kwento na iyan ng mga pulis. Hinahamon kita, Albayalde, sasamahan kita sa isang Lumad school at mag-observe ka doon kung ano ‘yung tinuturo at nang makikita mo kung gaano kagagaling ‘yung estudyante ng mga Lumad school,” Rep. France Castro (ACT Teacher party-list) said in a press briefing.

(That's an old story told by the police. I challenge you, Albayalde, I'll bring you to a Lumad school so you can observe what is taught there and so you can see how good the the students of Lumad schools are.)

“Maglakad ka din ng dalawa, tatlong oras,” she added.

(You will also have to walk two or three hours.)

The lawmaker was reacting to Albayalde’s statement claiming that the Lumad schools where she, former Rep. Satur Ocampo (Bayan Muna), and 16 others "rescued" Lumad students teaches other materials.

"Nu'ng nakausap natin ang mga lumad, sabi nila kahit na 'yung Pambansang Awit iba ang itinuturo. Pinipilit po nilang isama sa school na 'yan, 14 minors para mag-aral kuno pero iba po ang tinuturo," Albayalde was quoted by reports.

(When we talked to the Lumad, they said even the national anthem taught there is different. They force children to go to that school, 14 minors to supposedly go to school, but the subject matter is different.)

The government, including President Rodrigo Duterte, claims that the Lumad schools are being used for the recruitment of communists.

Ocampo defended the schools saying they are being thought multiple subjects such as language, reading, writing, mathematics, and agriculture, among others.

Rep. Karlo Zarate (Bayan Muna) said Albayalde’s statement against Lumad schools “only confirms the systematic Filipinization campaign.”

“Coming from Albayalde, we will not be surprised na hanggang sa baba ganu’n ang pagtingin sa mga Lumad school,” Zarate said, adding that this is a reason why teachers and students’ harassment complaints are not being heard.

(Coming from Albayalde, we will not be surprised that even at the lower ranks, that is how they view Lumad schools)

Lumad schools, and indigenous peoples' education in general, depart from the mainstream educational curriculum to offer lessons that are more culturally sensitive and relevant to an IP group. The government has schools that also offer IP education.

Although competencies like reading and writing are the same, IP education recognizes that the goal is to educate and not assimilate.

Castro, Ocampo and 16 others were arrested on Wednesday for allegedly kidnapping minors in Talaingod, Davao Del Norte.

The respondents said they were just rescuing these students as their schools were locked down by paramilitary forces.

They were released on Saturday after posting bail.

READ: Palace: 'Talaingod 18' free to sue over questioned charges