2021 National Human Rights Situation Report
49
no such power. An administrative case was filed against Barangay Captain Cabugnason
before the Sangguniang Bayan of Kitaotao, Bukidnon.171
195
On 26 August 2020, another MISFI-run elementary school in Sitio Laburon, Barangay
Mapute, San Fernando, Bukidnon was attacked. This time, instead of a closure, the school
was demolished by a group of armed men. The incident was allegedly perpetrated by the
members of the paramilitary group named “Bagani.’’ According to the community, Bagani
is under the command of the 89th Infantry Battalion, Bravo Company. In an investigation
conducted by CHR Regional Office X, it was gathered from the investigation made by the
NCIP-Bukidnon that the tribal leaders unanimously decided to demolish the school and
retake the land it occupied as it is part of their ancestral domain of the Matigsalug tribe.
With regard to Bagani, the NCIP Bukidnon believed that the military was not involved as
it had no control over a Bagani group. Accordingly, Bagani is directly under the control of
a tribal chieftain in a certain tribe where Bagani members operated.172
196
According to the DepEd Division Office of Bukidnon, the MISFI Laburon Academy in
Sitio Laburon, Barangay Matupe, San Fernando, Bukidnon has a permit to operate as a
school. However, it was temporarily closed due to the peace and order situation in the area.
It was noted that the DepEd elementary school has already been constructed in the area.173
197
On 06 June 2021, another indigenous school run by MISFI which was situated in Purok
2, Barangay Sagundanon, Kitaotao, Bukidnon was demolished by the barangay councils
of Sagundanon and New Cabalatian in Kitaotao, Bukidnon due to suspected links with
the NPA. The Barangay Captains of Cabalantian and Sagundanon, together with their
Sangguniang Barangay and Tribal Council, issued a resolution on 05 June 2021 to demolish
the MISFI school over “false teachings and ideologies by the NPA.” The 10th Infantry
Division (10ID) said that it is conducting “intensive monitoring” of some 82 private-run
schools in Bukidnon suspected to be “recruitment fronts’ ‘ of the Communist Party of
the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA). According to Maj. Jerry Lamosao, 10ID
spokesperson, intensified their collaboration with the community and other government
agencies and local government units, after the MISFI school in Sagundanon was demolished
because of its alleged links to the CPP-NPA. Maj. Lamosao said the 82 schools on their
list are Salugpungan, Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation Inc. (MISFI), Community
Technical College of Southern Mindanao, “Clans,” Father Faustino Tentorio Memorial
School, Assumption Interfaith Academy Foundation Incorporated, and other schools
operated by Rural Missionaries of the Philippines, among others.174
198
These incidents of attack on schools were investigated by the CHR Regional Office X.
The recent attacks on schools in Sitio Laburon, Barangay Mapute in San Fernando and in
Barangay Sagundanon in Kitaotao, both in the Province of Bukidnon were reported in
the CTFMR, thru the CRC and the CTFMR TWG Mindanao, for the monitoring and
response mechanism of GCRVs.175
171
Commission on Human Rights Regional Office X. (2021, July). Regional Situation Report 1st Semester 2021 Commission
on Human Rights 10.
172
Commission on Human Rights Regional Office X. (2021, July). Regional Situation Report 1st Semester 2021 Commission
on Human Rights 10.
173
Commission on Human Rights Regional Office X. (2021, July). Regional Situation Report 1st Semester 2021 Commission
on Human Rights 10.
174
Commission on Human Rights Regional Office X. (2021, July). Regional Situation Report 1st Semester 2021 Commission
on Human Rights 10.
175
Commission on Human Rights Regional Office X. (2021, July). Regional Situation Report 1st Semester 2021 Commission
on Human Rights 10.