By Omar Fernando

DAVAO CITY – In a gripping saga in Davao City, three courageous student leaders from Mindanao are raising their voices against the ongoing police operations, now on their 10thday, at the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound.

These operations in search for KOJC leader Apollo C. Quiboloy, they said, are not just a matter of law enforcement but a direct assault on their educational rights.

The KOJC compound is not just a religious site; it also houses the Jose Maria College Foundation, Inc. (JMCFI), a reputable educational institution with students across Mindanao.

They said the police operations inside the KOJC compound have transformed the school campus into a battleground where the future of countless students hangs in the balance.

Amidst the chaos, the student leaders, speaking on anonymity for their safety, are demanding answers and action from the government.

“Do the authorities care about our education?” asked Aileen, a student leader from Bukidnon, in a phone interview on Sunday.

She expressed frustration that the search for one individual has led to widespread disruption for the entire JMCFI student body and staff.

“I watched videos of the operations and saw police officers showing no regard for the (students) schooling,” she added.

Menandro, another student leader from Zamboanga City, criticized the silence of the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) and the Department of Education (DepEd).

“Why haven’t CHEd and DepEd spoken up to defend the sanctity of the JMC as a school?” he questioned during a separate interview on Monday. He fears this silence could set a dangerous precedent for future attacks on educational institutions.

Art, a student leader from Davao City, shared his distress over the situation.

“I joined my friends from JMC during the last five days of the police operations. It was heartbreaking to see them so affected,” he said. The JMC management has since shifted to online classes to ensure student safety amid the chaos.

The tension escalated further on Monday morning when police forcibly opened Gate 1 of the compound despite having free passage at Gate 2.

“Does President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. even know what’s happening here? Is he aware there’s a school inside the compound?” Art questioned.

As the situation unfolds, the student leaders continue to call for immediate action and support from educational authorities to protect their right to education.

Parents’ plea

Meanwhile, parents of JMCFI students appealed for educational protection.

“As parents, we send our children to school with the hope that they will learn, grow, and flourish in a safe and nurturing environment. We chose Jose Maria College Foundation, Inc. for our children because we believe in its commitment to providing an inclusive, non-discriminatory, and academically excellent education,” they said in a statement on August 22.

They expressed sadness that the institution has been a guiding light for years, helping many students become successful lawyers, doctors, engineers, psychologists, and police officers.

“However, our hearts are now heavy with concern. The recent presence of armed police officers on campus has deeply shaken our trust in the safety of our children’s learning environment,” the statement read.

They added: What was once a peaceful place of study has now been transformed into a scene of disruption and fear. We have seen the photos and videos circulating on social media, and our children have come home with stories that no parent should ever have to hear—of classes interrupted, of the once-welcoming spaces like libraries and classrooms now feeling more like war zones.”

Worried and heartbroken, they said their children should feel safe at school and focus on their studies without fearinginvasion.

“As parents, we entrusted JMCFI with our children’s futures, and now we feel that trust has been betrayed by the actions of the PNP,” they added.

Clarifying that they are not against law enforcement and understand the police’s critical role in maintaining order, their presence disrupts the education parents strive to provide for their children.

“Something has gone terribly wrong. The PNP’s intrusion into our children’s educational spaces is not just an overreach of authority; it is a violation of the sanctity of education itself. Our children’s right to learn in a secure and supportive environment has been compromised, and as parents, this is simply unacceptable,” they said.

They supported the earlier statement made by JMCFI students who bravely spoke against violations of their academic freedom.

“We stand with them in condemning the actions of the PNP and calling for the immediate restoration of a safe and conducive learning environment. Our children have shown incredible strength and resilience in the face of these challenges, and we are proud to stand beside them in this fight,” the statement added.

Parents also echoed the students’ plea to CHEd, the Legal Education Board, the DepEd, and the city government of Davao to hear their voices and take immediate action.

They appealed for the restoration of peace and safety of JMCFI so that their children can continue their education without fear or disruption.

“Their academic freedom, their right to learn, and their future depend on it,” they said.

They added: “Please, for the sake of our children, act now. Protect their right to a safe and uninterrupted education. We, as parents, will do everything in our power to support their growth and learning, but we need you to ensure they can do so in a safe environment. “