Volunteer teachers among killed in Davao de Oro ops, says group

A network of children's rights groups said two of the five persons killed in alleged clash between the military and communist reels in Davao de Oro were not rebels but volunteer teachers.

Save Our Schools (SOS) Network condemned the February 24, 2022 "massacre" in New Bataan town that resulted in the deaths of Chad Booc and Gelejurain Ngujo II, volunteer teachers for the Lumad schools in Mindanao.

The group said locals in Barangay Andap confirmed that no encounter took place in the area, contrary to the military's statement that the five persons were killed in an encounter.

"What the AFP claims as an encounter is in fact a massacre of civilians in the area," SOS said. 

It called for a thorough investigation of the incident.

"Together with the victims’ families, the Save Our Schools Network demands justice and a thorough investigation for Chad, for Jurain, and the other victims of the massacre," it said.

SOS also slammed the 1001st Infantry Brigade of the Armed Forces of the Philippines for allegedly parading the bodies of the deceased like "war trophies" and for planting guns and ammunitions to make it look like a clash.

"Photos of the deceased are supposed to be taken for the sole purpose of documentation not as trophies released and paraded without the consent of the families," the group said.

Lumad teacher

Booc was among the individuals arrested by police authorities following the supposed rescue of indigenous children in Cebu City in February 2021.

The Davao del Norte Prosecutor’s Office in May 2021 dismissed the criminal complaints filed against Booc and others due to insufficient evidence and lack of probable cause, and ordered their release from detention.

In his SONA ng Pambansang Minorya in July last year, Booc claimed that state forces are discouraging teachers from volunteering in Lumad schools.

The volunteer teacher said many of his colleagues are facing trumped up charges because of their work.

According to Booc, more than 200 Lumad schools have been closed down in the past five years under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, affecting thousands of students.

SOS said Booc has faced numerous death threats for continuing his advocacy in teaching Lumad communities.

"Like his students and the Lumad communities where he and Jurain teach, Chad is hunted for exercising his democratic rights and for fighting for the rights of the Lumad. This is the kind of culture of impunity and fascism that the Duterte administration wants to leave as its legacy," it said.

Last Friday, February 18, police arrested Dr. Naty Castro in her San Juan City residence through an arrest warrant for kidnapping and serious illegal detention charges issued two years ago.

Castro has also been working with the Lumad communities, helping them set up health centers in Mindanao.

The lawyers and family of Castro denounced the arrest and asked the court to dismiss the trumped up charges.  Castro is currently in a detention facility in Agusan del Sur. —LDF, GMA News