AFP lauds DepEd recall of module with false portrayal of soldiers

FILE: READY FOR POLLS. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Spokesperson, Marine Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, says the military is ready to secure the May 13 mid-term polls, during the press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Monday (May 6, 2019). Millions of Filipinos are expected to troop to polling precincts on Monday to vote for senators, congressmen and local officials. (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)

MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has lauded the Department of Education (DepEd) for immediately recalling a self-learning module that painted a wrong perspective of Filipino soldiers promoting peace and order in communities.

“We note with deep appreciation the Department of Education’s public and unequivocal disavowal and order to recall immediately a self-learning module that violated their social content standard and painted a wrong perspective of the Philippine soldiers who promote peace and order in the communities,” AFP spokesperson, Marine Major Gen. Edgard Arevalo said in a statement Wednesday night.

He added that the DepED vows to investigate further the circumstances behind the distribution of the assailed learning materials and to prosecute those responsible for this act.

“The AFP joins the Department in hoping that this unfortunate incident will not happen again and in ensuring that all educational materials will be of quality to benefit students,” Arevalo said.

Earlier, the DepEd ordered the immediate confiscation of self-learning modules which violated social content standards “by giving false perspective on our soldiers’ role in maintaining peace and wellness in the community”.

It also added that the distribution of modules to students “is not allowed if it does not pass through the review of Division or Regional Offices”.

“Based on our survey, the said module was locally-developed and did not pass through the DepEd Cordillera Administrative Region examination,” DepEd said.