KMU calls for immediate pull-out of textbook that labels it as rebel

Mga gawain: magsaliksik hinggil sa mga rebeldeng grupo sa bansa: NPA, NDF, MILF, MNLF, KMU. 

This student seatwork, with the acronyms completely spelled out, is found on pages 27-28 of the textbook Filipino I: Wika at Panitikan sa Makabagong Henerasyon, under Aralin 3: Pamahalaan at mga Batas. It is a DepEd sponsored reference book for first year high school students. 

“This is clearly a malicious and dangerous propaganda campaign against our organization, and all that the Arroyo government wants to get rid of,” said Elmer Labog, KMU Chairperson. 

“We demand for the immediate pull-out of the textbook. The DepEd, authors, and publishers should issue a public apology and correction. All first year classes who have used this book should be reviewed on their knowledge on ‘Pamahalaan at mga Batas.’” 

KMU is also studying proper legal action against the textbook’s responsible people and authorities. 

“The black propaganda against KMU will only reaffirm the government’s repressive attacks on unions and workers.”  

Since Arroyo’s term in 2001, 87 workers have been victims of extra-judicial killings, and 16,400 were subjected to many forms of labor rights violations, according to documented cases alone. 

“In effect, the regime is preaching that to form unions, to fights for just wages, to collectively assert for your rights in the workplace, and all that KMU has been asserting for all these years, are rebellious acts,” Labog commented. 

He added that “It also wrecks further the image of our Bangsamoro people, who have been maligned in the national media especially recently that Arroyo and the US are bent to pursue their vested interests in Minadanao. 

“This government tries hard to curve the ideologies of our next generation in favor of its selfish political agenda. But we trust that the students will realize the legitimacy of what those that government tags as rebels are fighting for,” Labog added.

The textbook was published by Diwa Scholastic Press Inc. Its authors are Angelita Binsol and Teresita Laxina, with Encarnacion Jimenez as editor. ###