Classes to go on in padlocked school

CEBU, Philippines — Although the main gate of an elementary school in Barangay Pajac, Lapu-Lapu City, remains padlocked, the Department of Education (DepEd) Lapu-Lapu City Division said that students are still able to attend classes today.

DepEd Lapu-Lapu City Division Legal Officer, Atty. Maricar Ruñez said that for the time being, students in Abuno Elementary School will use the school’s side gate.

This, after Pajac Barangay Captain Bonifacio Ompad Jr. decided to break the padlock on the small side gate so the guard on duty could go home. Noel Alegres Cosep, the individual who padlocked the school, didn’t appear to remove the padlock from the main gate since Friday.

“Padayon ra, padayon ra ang klase karong Monday. So katong gate nga tao ang makaagi, open na siya,” said Ruñez, who added that the padlock broken by the barangay captain belonged to the school.

In addition to the elementary pupils, high school students will also use the side gate, as Abuno National High School is located behind the elementary school.

Ruñez said that Abuno Elementary School Principal Airene Godinez and Abuno National High School Principal Angelita Pagobo planned to open the school’s exit gate, as it is bigger than the side gate.

“Naay exit gate pud nga naa ra puy susi ang school ato, maka-open ra pud, didto ra pud daw paagion sa mga school principal ang mga bata,” said Ruñez.

Ruñez assured that although the main gate is still padlocked, the exit gate can accommodate students entering the school, but added that opening the main gate of the school is preferable, particularly for the safety of the students.

“Siyempre kinahanglan ma-open man g’yud ‘ning gate enkaso naay mga emergencies, importante dako ang ingress ug egress sa mga bata,” said Ruñez.

Ompad said he cannot help but worry about the situation, especially since the students are returning from their long weekend due to the holidays.

“Akoang gikagul-an ani ang atoang mga kabataan, gani naa ko’y apo dinha na tulo kabuok sa elementary school…6:30 A.M. magsugod na baya ang klase,” said Ompad.

He said he will seek advice from the City Attorney’s Office if there is a need to open the main gate padlocks himself, especially since classes resume today.

“Kay di ko gusto nga ang mga bata di makasod sa eskwelahan Monday morning,” the barangay captain said.

Ruñez said they will set a meeting with the City Legal Officer James Allan Sayson today to discuss the filing of the necessary motions in court for the opening of the gate. They are also eyeing filing a complaint for grave coercion against Cosep and his companions.

Last Friday morning, Cosep and seven others, who are the heirs of a certain Marciano Alegres, padlocked the school allegedly because the one-hectare lot where the school stands is theirs. Cosep said they were forced to take this action because the Lapu-Lapu City Government ignored their requests.

But Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan said that the city government has in its possession a deed of donation, which was notarized in 1966, for the property. He said the City Council also passed a resolution, signed by then mayor Mariano Dimataga, declaring the lot donated to the government and the Lapu-Lapu City Division also has documents showing that the lot is owned by the city.

Chan said the Alegres should instead seek legal action to determine the real property owner, rather than deciding to padlock the school.

When asked what the heirs requested from City Hall, Chan said they demanded that the city government pay for the lot but the city has not received any court decision for it to do so.

He said the padlocking of the school was illegal since the Alegres don’t have an order from the court.

Ruñez said two weeks ago, Cosep’s son-in-law told Pagobo that their family would lock the school gate during that weekend. She said that plan didn’t push through that weekend, likely because policemen and barangay peacekeepers patrolled the vicinity, and it was likely padlocked during the holiday. (CEBU NEWS)