Contrary to the aim of the military, “the order to close the community schools will only succeed in further inciting the “lumad” people to join the people’s resistance against the tyrannical and fascist Duterte government,” the CPP said in statement on Friday, July 19. The order was carried out by the Department of Education (DepEd) upon the recommendation of National Security Adviser Secretary Hermogenes Esperon Jr., vice chair of the Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict. Esperon’s recommendation was based on his report alleging that the schools have deviated from DepEd’s guidelines and taught their students supposed anti-government propaganda. The DepEd has given Salugpongan until Monday, July 22, to submit its reply that would justify why its schools should not be closed. The planned closure of “lumad” schools has been condemned by progressive groups.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer July 20, 2019 07:07 UTC