Human rights groups and other sectoral representatives, led by Rep. Karlos Zarate and Bobby Malay, hold a press conference in Quezon City on Wednesday, to express their solidarity for the Talaingod 18, days ahead of the case promulgation on July 15. The human rights advocates called for the dismissal of the case filed against the Talaingod 18, who were charged with acts of child abuse during a humanitarian mission to save the Lumad children in Talaingod, Davao del Sur, in 2018. Respondents in the case include former Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro, and four ecumenical leaders from the United Church of Christ in the Philippines and the United Methodist Church.
Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Human rights groups and other sectoral representatives, led by Rep. Karlos Zarate and Bobby Malay, hold a press conference in Quezon City on Wednesday, to express their solidarity for the Talaingod 18, days ahead of the case promulgation on July 15. The human rights advocates called for the dismissal of the case filed against the Talaingod 18, who were charged with acts of child abuse during a humanitarian mission to save the Lumad children in Talaingod, Davao del Sur, in 2018. Respondents in the case include former Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro, and four ecumenical leaders from the United Church of Christ in the Philippines and the United Methodist Church. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

TALAINGOD 18- Lumad

Adrian Ayalin

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/172101355391020240710-talaingod18-press-conference-MT6.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="​Court convicts Rep. Castro, Satur Ocampo in child abuse case" style="width:960px"/><span class="fr-inner" spellcheck="false" style="text-align:left">Human rights groups and other sectoral representatives, led by Rep. Carlos Zarate and Bobby Malay, hold a press conference in Quezon City to express their solidarity for the Talaingod 18, days ahead of the case promulgation on July 15. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA (<strong>UPDATED</strong>) — The Tagum City Regional Trial Court Branch 2 has convicted ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro, former Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, and others for violating the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.</p><p>The case stemmed from a 2018 incident in Talaingod, Davao del Norte where they were accused of transporting 14 Lumad minors who were students of the Salugpungan Ta Tanu Ingkanogan Community Learning Center, Inc.</p><p>Bayan Muna maintained that the incident was a &quot;rescue mission&quot; following the supposed militarization of the school and alleged aerial bombings.</p><p>In a decision dated July 3, 2024, Castro, Ocampo, and their co-accused — Ma. Eugenia Victoria Nolasco, Jesus Madamo, Meriro Poquita, Maricel Andagkit, Marcial Rendon, Marianie Aga, Jenevive Paraba, Nerhaya Talledo, Concepcion Ibarra, Nerfa Awing, and Wingwing Daunsay — were sentenced to imprisonment of 4 to 6 years.</p><p>They were also ordered to pay jointly and severally a total of P20,000 in moral and civil damages to each of the victims.</p><p>&quot;Notably, the court opines that the accused had no valid justification nor authority to take the fourteen minor students out of Dulyan campus,&quot; Acting Presiding Judge Jimmy Boco said.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/focus/12/03/18/satur-went-to-lumad-school-without-permission-says-governor">FROM 2018: Satur went to Lumad school without permission, says governor</a></div><div><strong>&#x27;WRONGFUL CONVICTION&#x27;</strong></div><p>In a joint statement, Castro and Ocampo said they would question the court&#x27;s decision &quot;in all venues possible.&quot;</p><p>&quot;This wrongful conviction speaks of the continuing persecution of those who are helping and advocating for the rights of Lumad children and the persistent attacks on Lumad schools and communities,&quot; they said.</p><p>Castro and Ocampo said the court ignored the testimonies regarding the continued &quot;harassment&quot; of Lumad schools by military and paramilitary forces and the &quot;danger&quot; that the students faced.</p><p>They also noted that their mere presence on the highway where they met the teachers and the children was insufficient to establish a conspiracy.</p><p>&quot;The persons who are actually responsible for the forcible closure of the schools as well as the threats and harassment have never been investigated,&quot; they said.</p><p>The court acquitted Pastor Edgar Ugal, Rev. Ryan Magpayo, Eller Ordeniza, and Rev. Jurie Jaime for the failure of the prosecution to prove their guilt beyond reasonable doubt.</p><div><strong>ARMY, NSC WELCOME CONVICTION</strong></div><p>Meanwhile, the National Security Council and the Philippine Army on Monday welcomed the conviction.</p><p>In a statement, Army public affairs chief Col. Louie Dema-Ala said the &quot;landmark decision&quot; of the Tagum City Regional Trial Court Branch 2 sends a message that individuals who exploit and endanger the lives of indigenous people (IP) children will be held accountable by law. </p><p>&quot;Justice has finally been served for the Talaingod IP children and other victims who have fallen prey to their manipulations,&quot; Dema-Ala said. </p><p>&quot;Their conviction underscores that our justice system is indeed working. It sends a clear message that individuals who exploit and endanger the lives of IP children by exposing them to false and dangerous ideologies will be held accountable under our laws,&quot; he added. </p><p>National Security Adviser Sec. Eduardo Año lauded the court decision against the opposition leaders. </p><p>&quot;[N]o one is above the law. It doesn&#x27;t matter if you are prominent in society, the law is the law and one has to be accountable for one&#x27;s actions,&quot; Año said in a statement. </p><p>Dema-ala said the Philippine Army will continue safeguarding the welfare of all Filipinos, particularly vulnerable groups that are supposedly often targeted by deceitful beliefs. -- <strong>with a report from Michael Joe Delizo, ABS-CBN News</strong></p><div><strong><br/></strong></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div>

<p>The case stemmed from a 2018 incident in Talaingod, Davao del Norte where they were accused of transporting 14 Lumad students, which Bayan Muna said was a "rescue mission".</p>

The case stemmed from a 2018 incident in Talaingod, Davao del Norte where they were accused of transporting 14 Lumad students, which Bayan Muna said was a "rescue mission".

​Court convicts Rep. Castro, Satur Ocampo in child abuse case | ABS-CBN

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​Court convicts Rep. Castro, Satur Ocampo in child abuse case

​Court convicts Rep. Castro, Satur Ocampo in child abuse case

Adrian Ayalin,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jul 15, 2024 11:42 AM PHT

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Updated Jul 15, 2024 06:22 PM PHT

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Court convicts Rep. Castro, Satur Ocampo in child abuse case | ABS-CBN

Court convicts Rep. Castro, Satur Ocampo in child abuse case

Court convicts Rep. Castro, Satur Ocampo in child abuse case