Detained ‘lumad’ teachers worried about Mindanao students | Inquirer News

Detained ‘lumad’ teachers worried about Mindanao students

By: - Reporter / @NikkaINQ
/ 05:06 AM July 24, 2017

“In Mindanao, people who have been clamoring for help are silenced,” said Kenneth Cadiang, one of the eight youth leaders arrested on Saturday for conducting a lightning rally during a joint session of Congress at the House of Representatives.

Cadiang, a volunteer lumad teacher from Surigao del Sur, recently arrived in Manila with about 160 lumad students, teachers and community leaders to oppose the extension of martial law in Mindanao.

According to the protesters, martial law has led to the closure of lumad schools which are tagged as being operated by the New People’s Army.

Article continues after this advertisement

The teachers, on the other hand, are being called enemies of the state, according to Yasser Gutierrez, a teacher from the Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development.

FEATURED STORIES

“Ordinary people do not have voices. Yesterday was our hope to be heard,” Cadiang told the Inquirer on Sunday at the Quezon City Police District headquarters in Camp Karingal where he and his companions were being detained.

Cadiang, Gutierrez, their coteacher Chad Booc and youth activists Vinzhill Simon, Renz Pasigpasigan, Almira Abril, John Paul Rosos and Michael Villanueva were arrested after they shouted, “Never again to martial law” as Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana was answering questions from lawmakers.

Article continues after this advertisement

The Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office has recommended the filing against the eight of charges of disturbance of proceedings or violation of Article 144 of the Revised Penal Code.

Article continues after this advertisement

The teachers said the experience was “tormenting.” They worry about what their students would think when they find out they had been arrested.

“I don’t know how we’re going back to Mindanao. Is there still security for the lumad?” Gutierrez asked.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

TAGS: Chad Booc, Kabataan 8, Marawi siege

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.