NoCot council to probe schools 'teaching' anti-gov’t doctrine

COTABATO CITY --- North Cotabato Governor Nancy Catamco ordered on Wednesday, July 29 the creation of an investigating body to verify reports that several private schools in the province are allegedly being used to promote anti-government ideologies.

Presiding over the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC), Catamco agreed to the proposal of M’lang Mayor Russel Abonado to look into the operation of schools under the Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation Incorporated (MISFI) in the province.

“I guess there is a need for the council to conduct an in-depth or thorough investigation to know whether or not there is indeed a violation on the part of the administration of these MISFI schools on the alleged teaching of insurgencies and ideologies against the government,” Abonado said during the meeting at the provincial Capitol.

Abonado said his proposal has the support of the military. “If indeed, after impartial investigation, there is a violation, we will recommend to the Department of Education the closure of these schools," he said.

The MISFI operates schools in Barangay Kisante, Makilala town; Barangay Batang in Tulunan; Barangay Celo in Magpet; and Barangay Manarapan in Carmen, all in North Cotabato province.

The areas have long been identified by the military as being influenced by the communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels.

Earlier, Colonel PontencianoCamba, commander of the Army’s 1002nd Infantry Brigade, recommended to the PPOC to look into the operation of the school 

Citing intelligence information, Camba told PPOC members that children in these schools are indoctrinated to hate the government.

“The Army also wanted to find out whether these schools have the permit to operate from the Department of Education,” Camba said.

Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. CirilitoSobejana, the incoming Philippine Army chief who was also present during the meeting, said he supported the PPOC's decision to investigate MISFI.

Also during the meeting, Catamco approved the PHP44-million budget to intensify the fight against illegal drugs in the province to be implemented by the Provincial Anti-Illegal Drugs Abuse Council (PADAC).

The funds will be used to support the anti-drug enforcement operation, the provincial anti-drug council, the North Cotabato Kontra-Droga Community Development, education, and prevention program, the establishment of the Provincial Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (Balay Silangan), and development of a community treatment and rehabilitation program. (EDWIN FERNANDEZ, PNA, MINDANAO EXPOSE')