Slain educator’s colleagues refuse to return to school

SURIGAO DEL SUR, Philippines  – Students and teachers of a tribal school in Lianga town in this province said yesterday that they would not return to school unless the killers of their school director are arrested and put behind bars.

The killing of Emerico Samarca, chief of the Alternative Learning Center for Agriculture and Livelihood Development (Alcadev), and those of the two leaders of lumad communities by alleged members of a paramilitary group on Sept. 1 prompted some of the villagers to flee to Tandag City.

On Sept. 9, a four-year-old evacuee died at an evacuation center.

Maricris Pagaran, Alcadev officer-in-charge, told The STAR that she and the members of the school board as well as the parents and students decided not to return to school unless the Magahat or Bagani paramilitary group is disbanded.

“We were harassed by them many times prior to the murder of Sir Emok (Samarca). This time we will not take chances, they’re dangerous and armed,” Pagaran said.

Samarca was buried on Saturday in Butuan City. At least 5,000 people attended the burial and the ecumenical mass in Guingona Park.

Lumad leader Dionel Campos was buried yesterday at the Lianga Municipal Cemetery while Aurelio Sinzo and the four-year-old evacuee at a public cemetery in Barangay Diatagon.

Village chief Levi Te confirmed to The STAR that the parents would not allow their children to return to Alcadev unless all the 23 suspects in the killings are arrested and the Bagani and Magahat group disbanded.