Soldiers to teach computers to kids in Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY — The military will deploy soldiers in Sulu’s remote areas, known havens of the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf, to teach computers to students and teachers.

Armed Forces Southern Command chief Maj. Gen. Gabriel Habacon issued the directive to ensure that the gains achieved during the two-week Balikatan humanitarian mission here will not go to waste.

During the RP-US exercise, the US forces along with the Philippine military engineers constructed school buildings and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and non-government organization equipped it with dozens of Internet-connected computer units.

Ironically, none of the teachers or any of the students in Panamao and Maimbung towns is computer literate.

Habacon said none of the government employees would dare to go to the remote areas because of terrorist threats.

"We have to ensure that all the gains we have won will be protected and be utilized in developing this countryside," Habacon said in his visit to Maimbung.

"I directed the soldiers to train the students to be computer literate," Habacon said.

This will not be the first time the military have engaged in the soft war against terrorism through education.

Elements of the 3rd Marine Brigade in Patikul have also acted as soldier-teachers in many villages that were described as impenetrable by regular teachers due to fear of kidnapping by the Abu Sayyaf.