NEARLY six years have passed since authorities caught former Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo and ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro transporting minor indigenous people from Salugpungan School in Talaingod to Maco, Davao Oriental.
While tribal leaders consider this a win, they believe total victory will not be certain until the accused pay for their crimes against the indigenous people.
Talaingod Tribal Chieftain Bae Pilar Libayao recalled the events of November 28, 2018, which led to the conviction of Satur Ocampo, France Castro, and other accused for Child Abuse Under Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.
“You can see in the video that Satur Ocampo and I argued at the police station. Both of them— why are you taking my people? You know my people, you brought a priest, you even brought a pastor, what is your purpose in coming to the mountains?” according to Bae Pilar Libayao, Tribal Chieftain, Talaingod.
The communist terrorist group CPP-NPA-NDF penetrated the indigenous people’s community in Talaingod by establishing the Salugpungan School due to the lack of educational facilities in their area.
The tribal chieftain pointed out that due to the lack of education among the indigenous youth and their parents, they were duped by Ocampo and Castro’s group to go with them
The plan was to take the indigenous children from Talaingod to Haran in Cebu.
But…. What was their real motive?
“When they arrive at Haran, they are taken wherever there is a rally. I spoke to the children when they returned here, “what were you doing there?” “oh, nothing, we just joined the rallies,” Libayao added.
Talaingod tribal leader wants Satur Ocampo, France Castro behind bars
Thus, the decision of the Regional Trial Court Branch 2 In Tagum City, Davao del Norte is a welcome development for the indigenous community of Talaingod.
To recall, the court ruled Ocampo, Castro, and eleven others guilty beyond reasonable doubt for violating section 10(a), Article 6 of Republic Act 7610, which carries a penalty of four to six years imprisonment,
“I am appealing to the government to help us— indigenous people. Imprison Ocampo for life, along with castro because they are accomplices,” Datu Andigao Agay, Indigenous Person Mandatory Representative stated.
AFP continues programs to improve the lives of IP community in Talaingod
The Armed Forces of the Philippines believe that improving the lives of the indigenous community is not solely the responsibility of the government.
Thus, they are open to cooperation with private sectors.
“As much as possible, we want to fulfill our promises to our brothers who came down [from the mountains]. We have not yet delivered all our promises, such as school buildings, farm-to-market roads, electrification projects, water systems, and clinics in remote areas. That’s why we are asking for help not only from our government officials but also from the private sector, if they would like to contribute,” Lt. Col. Emmanuel Garcia, Battalion Commander 56ID said.
PH gov’t giving ‘extraordinary attention’ to Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy’s case
Meanwhile, Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy is known for fearlessly speaking out on his television programs against the evils and injustices committed by the communist terrorist group CPP-NPA-NDF, which has committed numerous crimes against Filipinos over the past five decades.
However, Pastor Apollo has become a target of the group that wants to silence him because many Filipinos are awakening to the truth.
IPRA Center National Coordinator Atty. Marlon Bosantog is questioning the blatant extraordinary attention that the government is giving to Pastor Apollo’s case.
“There is extraordinary attention being paid by the executive department to the case of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy. Why? Because, number one, the case is proceeding, but suddenly there are efforts like sending a battalion of SAF to different areas of worship.”
“If we look at it, the right to religious freedom is very significant to our constitution and should have a certain degree of consideration and respect, especially in serving a warrant in a place of worship,” Atty. Marlon Bosantog, National Coordinator, IPRA Center said.
Atty. Bosantog also pointed out that the process undergone in Pastor Apollo’s case is unusual— from being dismissed by the prosecution to being revived.
“This case has been pending for quite sometime and I think for more than 10 years and it has been dismissed by the Department of Justice. There was the submission for determination for probable cause, but what happened is that the prosecution then found no probable cause. So it means, as compared to Castro’s [case] which has conviction—[Pastor’s case] does not have a probable cause yet. Secondly, the appeal for the determination of probable cause was dismissed, and lately, [the case] was revived, so I don’t know if it was early this year, last year, and there was a finding probable cause.”
“So, what is happening is out of the ordinary because if this were an ordinary case, the process would not be like this. There is extraordinary movement and attention being paid to this particular case,” Bosantog added.
Cases filed vs. Pastor ACQ a result of political oppression, persecution—Atty. Bosantog
For Bosantog, the actions against Pastor Apollo could be considered political oppression and persecution.
“And we have to be not blind to the fact that it comes during the time Apollo Quiboloy is being critical of the government, the SMNI which he is being affiliated to is being critical of the government. So, the better question is whether the actions of the government’s executive branch now constitute political oppression or political persecution because this kind of case should not generate this level of effort from the government to the point that the president of the Philippines is talking about it and the secretary of the interior and local government is soliciting funds from private individuals to fund the search. It’s embarrassing for our law enforcement,” Bosantog added.
When it comes to standing up for the welfare of the indigenous people, Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy, also known as Datu Tud Labun and Datu Pamulingan by the IP community, is unparalleled.
The good pastor believes the government has long neglected the needs of the indigenous people, which is why he offers assistance to IP communities through UniPhil.
