Kidnappings stop teachers from going to classes

ILIGAN CITY—Teachers assigned at the elementary school in Limonsodan in Barangay Rogongon here have ceased reporting to their classes amid threats of kidnapping, an education official said Thursday.

Roy Gazo, assistant division superintendent, told the Inquirer by phone that they had supported the decision of the seven teachers because the threats appeared to be real.

“We could not allow the teachers to go to the barangay at this time unless their safety was ensured,” Gazo said.

He said prior to the decision of the teachers to stop from going to the village, some 100 students there have not been going to school because of the same problem for about a month now.

“They are helpless as even the military has no presence there because of the remoteness of the area,” Gazo said.

Residents of Limonsodan had to go to Cagayan de Oro City first before they can take a ride for the barangay proper.

Gazo said education officials had already dialogued with local military and police officials to craft a security plan for the teachers so that classes could finally resume in the area, which is populated by Higaonon lumads. Tito N. Fiel, Inquirer, Mindanao