Treat schools as peace zones — Aiza

MANILA, Philippines - Following President Duterte’s threat to bomb lumad schools in Mindanao, the National Youth Commission (NYC) has appealed to all stakeholders to protect the youth and uphold all learning institutions as peace zones.

“It is very important that the children should be given an opportunity to enjoy their right to grow, learn and play in a peaceful environment,” NYC chair Aiza Seguerra said.

Seguerra said it is important to give the youth a chance to remain in a peaceful community far from any threat of violence.

“Lumad schools should be utilized for what they are intended: to teach the children the rudiments of reading, writing, computing and the like, as well as to nurture them to become responsible and upright citizens of the country,” the NYC chief added.

The youth body recommended that the schools forge an agreement with the Department of Education (DepEd) to identify areas of cooperation in terms of operational standards set by the government for basic educational institutions.

“We are optimistic that we can eliminate doubts or suspicions that some educational institutions are allegedly being used for the indoctrination of the school children to rebel against the government if the lumad school leaders and DepEd officials will be able to reconcile and resolve their differences and disagreements,” Seguerra said.