JUSTICE is within reach for the indigenous children of Talaingod after ACT Teachers Party-list Representative France Castro and ex-Bayan Muna Representative Satur Ocampo were found guilty of violating Republic Act 7610, The Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.
“Today, RTC Branch 2 released its decision regarding the Talaingod case… of course, we did not expect the outcome of the decision,” Carlos Zarate, Former Bayan Muna Representative.
The court’s decision stems from the trafficking case filed against former Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, ACT Party-list Rep. France Castro, and others on November 28, 2018, after they were caught transporting minors from the indigenous community of Talaingod, Davao del Norte.
Based on the court’s 25-page decision, Ocampo, and Castro were convicted of child abuse, specifically, section 10(a), article III of Republic Act No. 7610, which carries a penalty of four to six years imprisonment.
Aside from Ocampo and Castro, Ma. Eugenia Victoria M. Nolasco, Jesus Madamo, Meriro Poquita, Maricel Andagkit, Marcial Rendon, Marianne Aga, Jenevive Paraba, Nerhaya Talledo, Ma. Concepcion Ibarra, Nerfa Awing, and Wingwing Daunsay were also convicted.
Meanwhile, Pastor Edgar Ugal, Rev. Ryan Magpayo, Eller Ordeniza, and Rev. Jurie Jaime, were acquitted after the prosecution failed to prove their guilt.
To recall, Ocampo and Castro claimed they were on a rescue mission to save teachers and students of Salugpungan School in Talaingod from harassment by tribal leaders and military forces.
However, the Regional Trial Court Branch 2 of Tagum City, Davao del Norte found that Ocampo, Castro, and others conspired to exploit 14 indigenous minors.
The court stated that the accused had no legal or moral duty to accompany the minors and transport them from Talaingod to Maco using five vans.
Parents and tribal leaders themselves filed complaints against Ocampo and Castro.
They simply wanted the Salugpungan School closed and the teachers removed but were shocked to discover that the minors had been taken away.
In 2018, the Department of Education investigated and ordered the closure of the Salugpungan School after receiving complaints it taught students to hate the government.
It was also proven that the school had links to the communist terrorist group CPP-NPA-NDF.
The court ordered the accused to pay P10,000 in civil indemnity and P10,000 to each minor for moral damages, with six percent interest per year from the date of the decision until full payment.
The provincial government of Davao del Norte welcomed the court’s decision, and that it confirmed that Ocampo and Castro violated the law.
“This means there was indeed a violation related to the case filed against them. They should accept and serve the court’s decision because they committed the act, and the court has decided,” according to Gov. Edwin Jubahib, Davao del Norte.
The ruling brings hope for other victims of deception, abuse, killings, and exploitation at the hands of the terrorist group CPP-NPA-NDF, as they, too, may one day see justice served.
