Even before President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao, the Manobo community in Lianga, Surigao del Sur, to which 13-year-old Dimlester Dumanglay belongs, has long suffered being targeted in counterinsurgency operations. The only unique feature in their school, Dumanglay said, was its emphasis on agriculture, but the usual subjects of Filipino, English, Science, Math, and Sibika were also being taught. “That’s why the extension of martial law is making me nervous. Ironically, “the biggest casualties of martial law are the lumad, even the Moros” in Mindanao, Duterte’s home region, Bonganay said. “If martial law is extended, there will be more school closures,” Fay said.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer July 22, 2017 13:30 UTC