Cadiang, a volunteer lumad teacher from Surigao del Sur, recently arrived in Manila with about 160 lumad students, teachers and community leaders to oppose the extension of martial law in Mindanao. According to the protesters, martial law has led to the closure of lumad schools which are tagged as being operated by the New People’s Army. ADVERTISEMENTThe teachers, on the other hand, are being called enemies of the state, according to Yasser Gutierrez, a teacher from the Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development. The teachers said the experience was “tormenting.” They worry about what their students would think when they find out they had been arrested. Is there still security for the lumad?” Gutierrez asked.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer July 23, 2017 21:00 UTC