DepEd stops sending teachers to Zambo island villages

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines   â€“ Citing security threats, the Department of Education (DepEd) has deferred the deployment of teaching personnel in the island villages in this city, officials said.               

Instead of reporting to schools for the resumption of classes yesterday, the teachers assigned to island villages gathered at the district office.

The officials cited the kidnapping of a teacher, Cathy Mae Casipong, on Limaong Island on Dec. 18.

Casipong, along with two other teachers, were on their way to the mainland when suspected Abu Sayyaf militants blocked them and seized her.

Her family has been reportedly negotiating with the kidnappers for her release.

Pedro Natividad, city school superintendent, said there was no information yet on any ransom demand from the kidnappers.

Natividad said the kidnapping of Casipong prompted them to stop the deployment of teachers to the island villages.

“If village officials cannot ensure their security then we cannot risk the safety of our teachers,” he said.

The school official said village leaders should secure the teachers and students going to and from the island villages.

Hashim Barta, chairman of Barangay Landang Laom, one of the four villages on Sacol Island, said they have asked Task Force Zamboanga to detail soldiers on the island and establish a police community action center that would look after the security of the teachers.

Bara said the government militia volunteers assigned on the island should be retrained.

Omar Sahi, school district supervisor of Mercedes town, said the teachers would not return to the schools unless village officials could ensure their security.