Progressive groups, teachers, and human rights defenders protested at the Department of Justice on July 15 to demand the reversal of the conviction of the “Talaingod 13.” The day was declared a “Global Day of Action to Defend Talaingod 13,” drawing participation from various organizations in the country and abroad.
The Talaingod 13 consists of former Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, former ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro, and 11 teachers and rights defenders. They were convicted by the Tagum City Regional Trial Court on July 15, 2024, of “other acts of child abuse” under Republic Act 7610. The case stemmed from a 2018 solidarity mission to rescue Lumad students and teachers from the Salugpungan Community School in Talaingod, Davao del Norte, who were then being harassed by military and paramilitary forces.
The Makabayan Coalition led the protest action.
“Makabayan calls for the immediate reversal of the ruling that punishes humanitarian action and solidarity work for the marginalized, undermines the rights of indigenous peoples, and reinforces the use of the justice system to persecute progressive leaders, human rights defenders, and people’s organizations,” the coalition said in a statement on July 15.
On his part, Ocampo emphasized that the case is a form of political harassment against Makabayan and Bayan Muna.
“It clearly follows the continuing pattern of weaponization of laws by using fabricated and politically motivated charges to silence dissent and weaken people’s organizations that challenge government abuses,” Ocampo said.
Meanwhile, Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay said the conviction set a “dangerous precedent” by using child protection laws against people who sought to protect children from militarization, harassment and State terror.
Aside from Castro and Ocampo, those convicted were Ma. Eugenia Victoria Nolasco, Jesus Madamo, Meriro Poquita, Maricel Andagkit, Marcial Rendon, Marianie Aga, Jenevive Paraba, Nerhaya Talledo, Ma. Concepcion Ibarra, Nerfa Awing, and Wingwing Daunsay. Eight of them are teachers and administrators of Salugpungan Community Learning Center and the Community Technical College of Southeastern Mindanao, and two are teachers from the Alliance of Concerned Teachers. Four of their co-accused from the church sector had been acquitted.
State of Mindanao
On the same day, Lumad and Moro leaders gathered at UP Diliman’s Malcolm Hall for the “2nd KATUNGOD Conference.” They shared testimonies on the state of human rights in Mindanao and demanded the reversal of the guilty verdict against the Talaingod 13.
During the conference, former Lumad student Angelika Moral recounted her experience of forced evacuation after the Alamara paramilitary group shut down their school. She noted that more than 10,000 students were denied education after authorities shut down 200 Lumad schools beginning in 2018.
Moral urged the court to listen to the students who were deprived of their education due to militarization.
“The very people who help are the ones being prosecuted. As a youth who grew up witnessing violence, I hope they listen to us. We are the proof that our teachers are not bad,” Moral said.
Tirmizy Abdulla, a professor at Mindanao State University-Marawi, spoke on the plight of the city’s residents nine years after the city was destroyed under the Duterte regime and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. He called for former President Rodrigo Duterte to be held accountable for the destruction of the city and the displacement of thousands of Moro people. Nearly 17,000 internally displaced persons remain displaced almost 10 years later.
“In reality, we have been subjected to a never-ending cycle of displacement. The reality of the bakwits is the real face of rehabilitatoon and the Bangsamoro transition,” Abdulla said.
Rev. Raymond Ambray and Atty. Carlos Zarate also shared their experiences and key points.
