DepEd: No to militarization in schools

MANILA, Philippines - Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Armin Luistro has reiterated that armed individuals, including military personnel and police, are not allowed to enter school premises.

“We maintain that schools are zones of peace so there should be no armed personnel inside school grounds as it puts our students at risk,” Luistro said during a recent dialogue over allegations of military presence in schools in Mindanao.

Luistro held a dialogue last week with Lumad representatives and members of the Save Our Schools Network over reports of militarization in Mindanao schools.

“The concerns on military presence in schools brought to our attention are alarming, but we still need to follow a process, a proper investigation on the allegations we heard in the dialogue,” Luistro said.

He requested members of the affected schools to submit documentary evidence like photographs, video or narratives of the harassment done by armed personnel on the schools for a “swift and comprehensive investigation.”

Militants are protesting against DepEd Memorandum 221, issued in 2013, that allegedly allowed military personnel to enter school grounds.

But according to Luistro, the memorandum – titled “Guidelines on the Protection of Children during Armed Conflict” – simply provides a process for schools to ensure that the rights of children are not violated.

The memorandum was issued after the Armed Forces of the Philippines issued its guidelines on the conduct of activities by military personnel inside schools.

Luistro ordered school principals to forward requests by the military for holding activities in schools, as well as submit reports to validate whether such activity was conducted peacefully.

During the dialogue, Luistro emphasized that military operations and engagements are not allowed inside school premises, except for civil-military activities like Brigada Eskwela and medical missions.

 “It’s our mandate to ensure the safety and well-being of learners, teachers and staff in our schools. Therefore we remind all armed persons, be they members of the military, police or civilians, to uphold our guidelines in the interest of keeping our schools safe and peaceful,” Luistro said.