Luistro defends Turkish schools over terror tags

MANILA, Philippines - Former education secretary Armin Luistro has defended two Turkish schools in the country against allegations that they are terrorist fronts.              

In a statement issued over the weekend, Luistro expressed support for the Integrative Center for Alternative Development Foundation Inc. (ICAD) and Pacific Dialogue Foundation Inc. (PDF), two non-government organizations that operate the Filipino-Turkish Tolerance School in Zamboanga City and the Fountain International Schools in Metro Manila.

“I have no reason to link their operations here with the alleged local terror groups, as this would seem totally in conflict with their ongoing advocacies and programs on peace-building,” Luistro said.

He said he never doubted the ICAD and PDF as legitimate foundations that share Filipino values of peace through education and respect for humanity despite differences in cultures, beliefs and traditions.

“Both ICAD and PDF have been working quietly in their own way to build such an environment through their educational programs here in the Philippines.”

The former education official admired the schools for having “culturally sensitive programs within an atmosphere of academic excellence where the values for respect of divergent cultures and faiths lead to a more holistic education for both Filipino and foreign students.”

Luistro, along with other religious groups, issued the statement after Turkish Ambassador Esra Cankorur said that the Fetullah Gulen Movement is “active” in the Philippines through schools. 

Officials from ICAD and PDF said they do not teach religion and that they accept students regardless of their religious beliefs.