NTF-ELCAC Warns of CPP-NPA's Attempt to Reopen Banned Salugpungan Schools in Davao Region

September 16, 2024

The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) has cautioned the public against the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) attempting to re-establish their influence in Davao Region by reviving the banned Salugpungan schools.

During the maiden airing of "Pros and Cons," hosted by NTF-ELCAC Director Joel Sy-Egco, Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr., NTF-ELCAC Executive Director revealed that the CPP-NPA is actively campaigning to re-establish their presence in communities. They are using tactics like spreading misinformation and exploiting social grievances.

"Last June, they (CPP-NPA) had a meeting where they discussed reviving radical Indigenous Peoples’ schools," Torres said, adding that the effort is believed to be part of a broader strategy to regain lost ground and rebuild their support base.

"We must be aware," Torres warned. "We are appealing to our member agencies – the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Education (DepEd), among others – to be vigilant because the CPP-NPA is really planning to revive such schools."

The Salugpungan schools, established in 2007 as private learning institutions for indigenous learners, gained prominence in 2014 under the name "Salugpungan Ta' Tanu Igkanugon Community Learning Center, Inc." However, in 2019, the Department of Education (DepEd) ordered the closure of 55 Salugpungan schools in Davao Region due to various regulatory violations and allegations of their use as recruitment centers for the NPA.

The DepEd investigation revealed failures to comply with curriculum standards, unauthorized fundraising, unlicensed teachers, and operating within ancestral domains without proper consent. Testimonies from former students and teachers also pointed to the schools being used for training and recruitment by the NPA.

Torres further revealed the existence of "Salugpungan International," funded by foreign organizations under the guise of assisting indigenous peoples. He described a scheme where a significant portion of the funds is diverted to the CPP-NPA, with only a smaller portion going to the schools.

"They have a scheme, which is why they've persisted for so many years," Torres stated. "For example, 60 percent of the funds goes to the revolution, and 40 percent goes to the school. They need to keep this going to generate resources, cadre, and exploit the IPs. Many organizations want to help, but some groups within our country are using and exploiting the IPs. We need to realize this and prevent them from reviving schools that breed NPAs."

The NTF-ELCAC official expressed serious concern about the potential for radicalization of children, particularly those enrolled in Salugpungan schools and in other remote areas.

"The CPP-NPA goes down to the level of even young children, from grade 1 to grade 6 in the Salugpungan schools," Torres explained. "They are radicalized so that when they become teenagers, they know nothing but to go against the government."

He underscored the long-term impact of "terror grooming," emphasizing that it starts early and can be difficult to reverse. "What we see as illegal is just holding a gun. We should realize that the terror grooming process is very long. It starts long before. We should be looking for indicators in the attitude children, siblings, friends. You would know, you can determine the change in attitude. There are identifiable signs. They lose their individuality. They follow the dictates of the underground movement. And sometimes when you get to that point, there is no turning back anymore."

Torres called for legislation to protect the youth and children from terror grooming and urged the public to be vigilant.

"I hope that the series of Senate hearings will lead to legislation to protect our youth, particularly from terror grooming. They deserve to have peaceful lives. You need to know the truth about certain groups and organizations so that you can make informed choices that won't hurt you, your families, and your communities. I hope there will be legislation so that schools will be more careful and vigilant."

He also emphasized the need for ongoing awareness campaigns and community involvement, stressing that terror grooming is also existing in other groups such as Maute, Abu Sayaff, and other local terror groups.

"In every opportunity and platform, we should not get tired. Let us multiply ourselves – leaders on the ground, student leaders, stratcom practitioners, and different spokespersons who can help us prevent the recruitment of youth by the CPP-NPA."

"It's about preventing the youth of our country, and those living in the margins of the community, from being exploited and recruited by any terrorist group, including the CPP-NPA, Maute, and other local terrorist groups. That is the only way that we can prevent them from recovering and committing violent activities against innocent civilians, like most of us," he stressed. ###

NTF-ELCAC MEDIA BUREAU

Ref: Joel M. Sy Egco

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