JV bats for Turkish schools

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito vouched earlier this week for two schools in the country run by Turkish non-government organizations that were branded as fronts for terror groups.

Ejercito was referring to the Integrative Center for Alternative Development Foundation Inc. (ICAD) and Pacific Dialogue Foundation (PDF) that operate the Filipino-Turkish Tolerance School in Zamboanga City and the Fountain International School in San Juan City.

“In my experience, the Turkish-run schools in San Juan are run well. They are also cooperative with the community,” said Ejercito, a former mayor of San Juan.

Turkish Ambassador Esra Cankorur earlier said the Fetullah Gulen Movement is “active” in the Philippines through schools.

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

San Juan City Mayor Guia Gomez last week expressed support for ICAD and the Fountain International School, saying the group helped in the city’s outreach programs.