Photo credit: BAYAN MUNA Partylist

A Davao del Norte court found former Bayan Muna Representative Satur Ocampo and ACT Teachers Partylist Representative France Castro guilty of "other forms of child abuse." This decision stems from a highly contentious case filed during the Duterte administration in November 2018.

In a joint statement, Ocampo and Castro vehemently denounced the court's ruling as unjust and unacceptable. They, along with twelve others associated with the Salugpungan Ta 'Tanu Igkanogon Community Learning Center and the Alliance of Concerned Teachers, expressed dismay over what they described as a miscarriage of justice.

"This wrongful conviction is a grave injustice," declared Ocampo and Castro. "It underscores the ongoing persecution faced by those who advocate for Lumad children's rights and the relentless assaults on Lumad schools and communities."

The defendants pointed out that the real perpetrators behind the forced closures of Lumad schools and the accompanying threats and harassment have yet to face accountability. They vowed to challenge the court's decision through all available legal means.

"We stand firm in our solidarity with indigenous schools and communities, who continue to endure the brunt of fascist attacks," affirmed Ocampo and Castro. "We demand justice for the indigenous children whose lives have been endangered by the actions of those in power."

Specifically, Ocampo and Castro called for accountability from former President Rodrigo Duterte and the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), whom they accuse of orchestrating the attacks against Lumad schools.