THE OPINION piece titled “A law that can make PH a leader” (Inquirer, 11/23/12) on Republic Act 7610, which prohibits the establishment of military camps and fortification installations within schools and on playing fields, is typical of the very timely information coming from the newspaper. It alerts the public to the existence of a problem that has not been highlighted in the past. It imparts a sense of urgency that calls on the hierarchy of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Department of Education to immediately deal with a situation that deprives hundreds of students of their right to education, worsens the classroom shortage, wastes the taxpayers’ money that has been allocated to solve the growing problem of the absence of schools in remote areas, and robs the country of the benefits of higher literacy rate among its citizens.
AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Jessie Dellosa and Education Secretary Armin Luistro should disseminate information about the relevant provisions of RA 7610 and order all AFP officers in the field and school principal to comply with the law. Secretary Luistro should additionally require principals to report any militarization of their schools to the Department of Education for appropriate action at higher government levels.
—BENJAMIN AGUNOD
benjamin2914@
yahoo.com
12 Ocampo St.
BF Homes-QC