'No rescue needed': USC, SVD Philippines surprised by police operations in Lumad school | ABS-CBN

ADVERTISEMENT

dpo-dps-seal
Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!

'No rescue needed': USC, SVD Philippines surprised by police operations in Lumad school

'No rescue needed': USC, SVD Philippines surprised by police operations in Lumad school

ABS-CBN News

 | 

Updated Feb 15, 2021 10:14 PM PHT

Clipboard

MANILA - The University of San Carlos and the Societas Verbi Divini (SVD) Philippines Southern Province said they were surprised at the presence of policemen during their "rescue operations" in a Lumad school housed inside the USC Talamban campus in Cebu.

In a joint statement, USC President Fr. Narciso Cellan Jr., and Fr. Rogelio Bag-ao SVD said there was no need for a rescue since the Lumad students were staying in the USC campus due to the lockdown, and they were preparing to return to their homes in batches.

"After being locked down, the SVD Community has since sheltered the delegation at its retreat house, providing them with comfortable accommodation, and allowing them the use of its facilities for the Lumad's recreation," the statement said.

"When the quarantine restrictions loosened, plans were made for their safe return to their homes. Because the return necessitated logistical preparations to be made and entailed costs such as those relating to the swab tests, fare and food allowance, the travel of the delegation was planned to be carried out in batches. At least four of the delegates have so far returned to their place, and another batch was scheduled to return this week," it added.

ADVERTISEMENT

Both SVD and USC said they were surprised at the presence of policemen in the campus, since the students were staying in the retreat house for their welfare and well-being.

"It, thus, came as a surprise that reports about minors being "rescued" surfaced today. While COSA (Archdiocese of Cebu-Commission on Social Advocacies) mentioned that some parents were coming over to fetch their children, it did not dawn on us that the parents' visit will necessitate the presence of policemen," they said.

"Here, no rescue need ever be conducted because the presence of the Lumads in the retreat house was for their welfare and well-being, and all throughout, they were nurtured, cared for and treated with their best interest in mind," they added.

Human rights groups earlier slammed what they called as "fake rescue operations" in the USC campus.

According to Save Our Schools (SOS) Network, policemen suddenly entered the campus and arrested 25 people, including 2 teachers and 2 tribal leaders.

According to Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Ildebrandi Usana, they launched the operation because some parents sought their help.

The students were also allegedly being recruited as armed combatants, police claimed.

RELATED VIDEO

Watch more in iWantv or TFC.tv

ADVERTISEMENT

DMW coordinating with BOC for release of undistributed Balikbayan boxes

DMW coordinating with BOC for release of undistributed Balikbayan boxes

Pia Gutierrez,

ABS-CBN News

Clipboard


MANILA — The Department of Migrant Workers said Monday it would assist families of OFWs who have been affected by the delayed shipment of thousands of Balikbayan boxes to the Philippines. 

“They have been victimized, and we will provide action fund assistance as well,” DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said in a televised briefing.

The DMW has been working closely with the Bureau of Customs to facilitate the release of the estimated 14,000 Balikbayan boxes, he said.

“Sa ngayon nakikipagtulungan tayo sa Bureau of Customs. We are thankful sa BOC dahil na-facilitate na ang release ng 9,000 boxes. But there are around 5,000 more to go, half of them are in the Davao port. We are thankful sa BOC, may deed of donation na ido-donate sa atin at tayo na ang magdi-distribute, so isasagawa natin yon,” he said.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Dito sa Manila, we are working on the same deed of donation system, pero ang maganda dahil sa hearing noong isang araw, nakita natin na pwede pala yung system na puntahan mo nalang sa warehouse, around 40 boxes were released the other day. This will be just the beginning of the continued distribution, so 9,000 now, 5,000 more to go," he added.


RELATED VIDEO: 



ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

It looks like you’re using an ad blocker

Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker on our website.

Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker on our website.