On Monday, the Tagum City Regional Trial Court’s Branch 2 delivered a verdict finding Rep. France Castro of the ACT Teachers party list and former Rep. Satur Ocampo of Bayan Muna guilty of endangering minors during a 2018 incident. The court sentenced them to serve four to six years in prison under Republic Act 7610, also known as the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.
The case revolved around an incident in November 2018 when Castro, Ocampo, and several others undertook a mission purportedly aimed at rescuing Lumad schools and teachers from a food blockade and closure allegedly enforced by a paramilitary group in Talaingod, Davao del Norte. The court concluded that the actions of Castro, Ocampo, and their co-accused endangered the minors involved.
According to the court’s decision, the group led the minors on a journey along hazardous and unsecured roads, exposing them to potential harm from both government troops and communist New People’s Army guerrillas active in the area. The court emphasized that the safety and well-being of the children were compromised during their transport from Sitio Dulyan to Tagum City.
In addition to the prison sentence, Castro and Ocampo were ordered to pay P10,000 each as civil indemnity and moral damages to each of the 14 minors involved in the incident. The court stipulated that a 6% per annum interest would accrue until complete payment.
The verdict has stirred mixed reactions. Castro and Ocampo, members of the progressive Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives, denounced the decision as unjust and unacceptable. In a joint statement, they asserted that the conviction represents ongoing persecution against advocates for Lumad children’s rights and schools.
“This wrongful conviction underscores the relentless attacks on Lumad schools and communities, while those truly responsible for the closure and harassment have escaped scrutiny,” their statement read. “We will vigorously challenge this decision through all available legal avenues.”
The case has sparked debate and drawn attention to protecting indigenous communities and the advocacy efforts of lawmakers involved in human rights issues. It remains to be seen whether Castro and Ocampo will pursue an appeal through a motion for reconsideration in the same court.
The conviction highlights the complexities surrounding efforts to safeguard the rights and safety of indigenous peoples, particularly in conflict-affected areas where allegations of human rights abuses are often intertwined with broader political and social issues.
