For the first quarter of this year, six educators fell victim to rebels in Southern Mindanao, another one last October and this month, two more educators were abducted, the latest, a vice president of a state college in Basilan.

Just recently a number of civilians, including teachers and elementary students, were abducted by another rebel group in Agusan del Sur.

According to Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) national chairperson Banjo Basas, on Dec. 9, a teacher, identified as Marquez Singson was reportedly abducted and beheaded in Zamboanga. On Dec. 10, a tribal armed group kidnapped 75 civilians, including schoolchildren and teachers were abducted in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur. On the same day, the vice president of Basilan State University (BSC) identified as Orlando Fajardo was kidnapped in Isabela City.

The teachers’ group, the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) strongly condemn the seemingly never ending violence against innocent educators in Mindanao.

“This abduction is yet another blow to the development of education in Mindanao. We call for the safe release of Dr. Fajardo. These series of acts of violence against educators must end,” DepEd Secretary Jesli Lapus said.

Lapus said that Fajardo manages DepEd’s Accelerated Teacher Education Program (ATEP) offered at the BSC where 27 of the agency’s Muslim public school teachers are earning their diplomas in BS Education Major in Islamic Studies and Arabic Language.

He added that Basilan State College is also a partner of DepEd in training Muslim teachers under the Madrasah education program so they can earn degrees that will qualify them for regular teaching positions.

CHEd Chairman Emmanuel Angeles also appeals to Dr. Fajardo’s abductors to free the educator who have helped many students in Basilan.

“We hope that his abductors will consider how Dr. Fajardo has helped so many of our students in Basilan, either they are Christian or Muslim, in giving them access to quality higher education,” Angeles said.

Angeles added that Basilan badly needs people like Fajardo who is highly dedicated to the education of its people and committed to the growth and advancement of the province despite the situation in the area.

In a statement released by CHEd, the family of Fajardo, a diabetic, has expressed concern over his physical and medical condition.

CHEd has suspended classes at all levels in BSC last Friday until Saturday while officials exert all efforts to bring normalcy and the safe return of Dr. Fajardo.