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Talaingod 13 at ang nagpapatuloy na pakikibaka para sa katarungang panlipunan

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Ni Nuel M. Bacarra

Sa pagitan ng mga kwento at salaysay, ng mga progresibong awit, ng pakikipag-daupang palad, ng mga bulungan at higikhikan, sa aktwal na daloy ng programa ay nabuo ang isang mas mataas na pagkakaisa para higit pang igiit ang kapasyahang ipagpatuloy ang pakikibaka at iangat ito sa isang mas mataas na antas ng kolektibong paglaban.

Sinalamin ng pagtitipon para sa kampanyang Defend Talaingod 13 nitong Agosto 3 ang pagkikipagkaisa at ang diwa ng paglilingkod sa sambayanan. Ang mga lagda sa manipesto ng pakikiisa ay pasya at matibay na patunay sa paglarga hanggang makamit ang katarungan.

Ito ay naging isang okasyon para itudla sa hinaharap ang mga aral na armado ang estado ng makinarya para lubusin ang lahat ng paraan sa pagpapatahimik sa mamamayang lumalaban. Hindi na epektibo para sa estado na patayin lamang ang mga rebolusyonaryo, ikulong at pahirapan ang mga aktibista at supilin ang pag-ehersisyo ng mamamayan ng kanilang mga karapatan, kabilang na rito ang pagwasak sa mga istrukturang ibinunga ng sama-samang pagkilos.

Ganito ang konteksto kung bakit ang makataong misyon para isalba ang mga bata at mga guro sa Talaingod na naipit sa pagharang ng mga militar at paramilitar na pwersa ng estado ay naging isang kasong kriminal at sistematikong pinilipit ang katotohanan sa kabila ng aktwal na danas ng panggigipit.

Kodao file photo

Katutubong Paaralan

Sa panahon ng rehimeng Rodrigo Duterte, ipinasara ang 216 na paaralan ng mga katutubong Lumad sa buong Mindanao. Apektado rito ang mahigit 10,000 estudyanteng katutubo. Ang pagkakaroon ng mga eskwelahan sa kanilang lugar ay ipinaglaban ng henerasyon ng mga Lumad na naniniwala sa kahalagahan ng edukasyon para sa kanila.

Sa pagsisikap mismo ng mga katutubo at mga organisasyong di-gubyerno, naitayo ang mga paaralang ito na angkop at umaayon sa sosyo-kultural ng pangangailangan ng mga komunidad. Kaya may mga asignatura sila na maliban sa regular na aralin ay meron silang nakalaan para sa araling pang-agrikultura at teknolohiya at aktwal na naisasapraktika ang kaalaman para sa kapakinabangan ng buong komunidad. Ang ganitong uri ng kurikulum ay hindi gusto ng pamahalaan kung kaya inakusahan ito ni Duterte mismo na mga eskwelahan ito ng mga New People’s Army (NPA).

Mga paaralan itong nakatayo sa gitna ng mga bulubunduking bahagi ng kanayunan kung saan nagaganap ang mga armadong labanan sa pagitan ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at ng NPA. Subalit kalabisan na tatakan ang mga paaralang ito bilang eskwelahan para sa pagsasanay ng mga NPA. At dahil sa ganitong balangkas ng pangangatwiran, pwersahan itong ipinasara mismo ni Duterte at AFP sa pamamagitan ng pasistang dahas at pananakot.

Ang utos na ito ay ipinatupad ni national security adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. simula noong 2019. Ipinasara ang 55 eskwelahan na pinangangasiwaan ng Salupongan Ta’Tanu Igkanogon Community Learning Center sa Southern Mindanao, mga paaralang awtorisado mismo ng Department of Education (DepEd). Gayundin ang sinapit ng mga iskul sa ilalim ng ALCADEV (Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural ang Livelihood Development) at TRIFPPS (Tribal Filipino Program of Surigao del Sur) at iba pang paaralan ng mga Lumad sa buong Mindanao.

Isang kabalintunaan na sa kabila ng kakulangan ng mga paaralan sa iba’t ibang lugar sa bansa, ipinasara at winasak ang mga paaralan ng mga Lumad dahil sa “kontra-insurhensyang” programa ng gubyerno at ang armadong pwersa ng estado ang pangunahing instrumentong ginagamit sa pagwasak ng mga istruktura maging ng pangarap ng buu-buong komunidad na magkaroon ng edukasyon.

Soldiers occupying a Lumad school. (SOS photo)

Makataong misyong naging krimen

Hindi na bago kay Rep. France Castro ng ACT Teachers’ Party ang mga humanitarian mission. Noong gurong unyonista pa lamang siya, madalas na siyang naglilingkod sa mga katutubong komunidad. Nakapag-serbisyo na siya sa mga katutubo ng Cordillera, sa pagbibigay ng school supplies sa mga Mangyan sa Mindoro, naging bahagi rin siya ng relief operations sa mga Aeta nang pumutok ang Mt. Pinatubo. Hindi bago para sa kanya ang mga makataong misyon sa kanayunan.

Gayundin si Ka Satur Ocampo, dating kinatawan ng Bayan Muna na 85 taong gulang na ngayon at mahigit 60 taon nang aktibista. Marami siyang sinamahang mga fact-finding at rescue missions.

Silang dalawa ay kabilang sa 13 na sentensyado sa kasong child abuse sa ilalim ng batas na R.A. 7610 o Anti-Child Abuse Law.

Noong panahon ng rescue mission nila sa Talaingod, Davao del Norte noong Nobyembre 2018 kahit may pakikipag-usap nang ginawa si Ka Satur sa hepe ng pulisya para salubungin ang mga bata at mga guro, hindi napigilan ang pagharang sa kanila ng mga militar. “Under military order” umano at ayon mismo may Ka Satur, may interbensyong ginawa si Duterte at may mandong kasuhan sila.

Photo by Kilab Multimedia

Tunay na Usapin

Ang husga sa kanilang nagkasala sa batas ay isang uri ng miscarriage of justice, ayon na rin kay Ka Satur. Ito ay malinaw na hudisyal na pang-uusig. Isa itong sabwatan ng mga armadong pwersa ng estado, ng lokal na gubyerno at iba pang ahensya nito. Ipinataw mismo ni Duterte ang batas militar sa Talaingod para bigyang-katwiran ang pagwasak sa mga paaralan. At sa pangyayaring hinusgahang maysala sina Ka Satur at Teacher France, nagdiwang ang National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict na matagal nang minimithi ng reaksyunaryong gubyerno kay Ka Satur.

Para kay Ka Satur na ilang beses nang kinasuhan ng murder, multiple murder, kidnapping with serious illegal detention at iba pa ay nalampasan niya ito lahat dahil walang katotohanan ang mga ito. Pero sa pagkakataong ito na sinentensyahan siya, lahat ng sirkunstansya ay nakaturo sa garapal na pagsasabwatan at sistematikong maniobra.

Hindi rin pwedeng tanggalin sa hinala ang galaw ng mga Duterte sa kasong ito at hindi kataka-taka ito para kay Rep. France Castro. Siya ang malakas ang loob na nagkwestyon sa ₱125 milyong confidential fund ni Vice President Sara Duterte na ginasta sa loob ng 11 araw at sa kawalang-silbi nito bilang hepe ng DepEd. Sa pamamagitan din Rep. Castro, naisabatas ang Republic Act 11997 o ang Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act na nagtatakda ng pagtaas ng alawans sa pagtuturo mula ₱5,000 tungong ₱10,000.

Nang mag-anunsyo si Rep. France ng maagang kandidatura para tumakbong senador sa eleksyon sa 2025, Buena-manong bala ang kaso ng Talaingod 13 ng rehimeng Marcos Jr. para siraan ang mga patriyotikong mga indibidwal at organisasyon na balak na kumpletuhin ang buong listahan ng mga kandidato para sa Senado sa darating eleksyon sa isang taon na ikinagulat ng reaksyunaryong estado.

Kodao file photo

Mitsa ng Pakikibaka

Ang kaso ng Talaingod 13 ay tagos sa iba’t ibang sektor—mga pambansang minorya, guro, mambabatas, manunulat, kabataang-estudyante. Sumalubong ito sa papalalang krisis sa edukasyon. Lantad ang hindi pantay na timbangan ng hustisya. Sangkot sa sabwatan ang armadong pwersa ng estado, lokal na gubyerno, at iba pang ahensya nito maging ang hudikatura.

Hindi biro ang 216 na paaralang ipinasara at winasak. Kulang ang mga paaralan para sa lumalaking bilang ng mga estudyante sa buong bansa at hindi biro ang paghinto sa pag-aaral ng sampung libong kabataan habang ang mga gurong matyagang nagtuturo ay sinentensyahan sa mga kasong gawa-gawa lamang kasama nina Ka Satur at Rep. France Castro.

Hamon ito sa sambayanan na kitlin ang pananahimik dahil ang mga tunay na naglilingkod sa bayan ay inuusig. Ang edukasyong pinangarap ng Kalumaran ay binura sa listahan ng serbisyong panlipunan sa panahon ni Pangulong Duterte pero nakumpleto sa panahon ng rehimeng Marcos Jr. ang kawalang katarungan.

Kahit anong away sa pulitika ng dalawang nag-uumpugang pulitikong angkang ito, pareho ang pamamaraan nila sa pagsupil sa paglaban ng mamamayan. Nangyari ang kaso ng Talaingod 13 sa Mindanao pero sumambulat ang kawalang-katarungan nito sa Kamaynilaan. Mula rito, magiging mitsa ito pakikibakang masa para sa katarungan sa buong bansa. #

Sino ang Talaingod 18 sa mga katutubo?

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“Ang mga gurong ito, kasama si Cong. France at si Ka Satur, ay tumutulong sa amin at taus-puso kaming nagpapasalamat sa kanila dahil umunlad ang aming komunidad. At lagi naming tinitingnan na ito ang pag-asa na makakamit namin, ang malayang kinabukasan sa mga susunod na henerasyon. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit kami humingi ng tulong upang makapagtayo ng mga paaralan dahil ito ang wala sa amin at ipinagkait ng gubyerno sa amin.”–EUFEMIA CULLAMAT, Former Bayan Muna Representative/Council Member, SANDUGO, July 16, 2024

Imahe ni Nuel Bacarra/Kodao

CPP warns verdict against Castro, Ocampo is Marcos Jr’s ‘opening shot’ vs Makabayan’s 2025 Senate bid  

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The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) has warned that the conviction of ACT Teachers Party Rep. France Castro, former Bayan Muna representative Satur Ocampo and Lumad school educators for “child abuse” may be an initial attack against the progressive bloc in Congress.

Following the Makabayan coalition’s recent announcement of fielding a senatorial slate in next year’s national elections, the Ferdinand Marcos Jr. regime has “obviously” fired an “opening shot” against the group, CPP chief information officer Marco Valbuena said in a statement.

Branch 2 of the Tagum Regional Trial Court today said it finds Castro, Ocampo and more than a dozen others guilty of “potentially endangering” Lumad schoolchildren when they participated in a mass evacuation of their schools and community in Talaingod, Davao del Norte in November 2018.

The CPP however said the “wrongful conviction” is a “gross political and historical distortion that Castro, Ocampo et.al. are being painted as criminals for rescuing and providing safe haven for lumad Manobo children and their teachers amid the attacks by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).”.

“The conviction is obviously an opening shot of the fascist Marcos regime against the Makabayan coalition of patriotic and democratic parties, which has recently announced plans to vie for senate seats in the upcoming elections,” Valbuena said.

“This forms part of the Marcos regime’s campaign to stifle the people’s dissent,” he added.

Valbuena said the “unjust guilty verdict” is a direct attack of the “US-Marcos regime”against democratic and patriotic forces and the CPP joins in the quick and massive condemnation of the “political persecution.”

The CPP said it was the AFP, under direct orders by former president Rodrigo Duterte, that occupied the civilian communities and shut down more than 200 Lumad schools across Mindanao.

“This will surely backfire against the US-Marcos regime as it will only rouse further the indignation of the masses of the Filipino people who are suffering from gross oppression, exploitation and political repression under their rule,” the CPP said.

More condemnations

Meanwhile, labor federation Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) joined other in condemning the decision against Castro and others, saying the charges against them were “baseless and acceptable.”

“From the start, the charges were trumped up and clear lies filed by the NTF-ELCAC (National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict) with the purpose of threatening and instilling fear against the Lumad and their supporters,” the KMU said.

The federation added that the decision is a clear example of Marcos Jr.’s perpetuation of his predecessor’s anti-people policies that disrespects the Filipinos’ basic rights.

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) earlier expressed the same sentiments, saying case is emblematic of the weaponization of laws and judicial processes against human rights defenders and critics of the Rodrigo Duterte government.

“[The] Marcos Jr government is responsible for the continuing human rights abuses inflicted on Lumad communities and brutal counterinsurgency operations that disrupt the lives and education of Lumad children,” it said in a statement prior to the reading of the verdict this morning.

The Unyon ng Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (UMA) also said the court decision is “unjust,” adding it is not only as a direct attack on the 14 activists but a warning from “the fascist US-Marcos Jr. regime” that anybody who undermined US imperialist interests in Mindanao, militarized since martial law under Rodrigo Duterte, would be met with judicial harassment and other rights violations.

“Moreover, it revealed that in spite of the worsening political rivalry between Duterte and Ferdinand Marcos Jr., both still aligned on upholding the US counter-insurgency directive of quashing even civilian obstacles to landgrabbing efforts in Mindanao, enabling corporate plantations and mining companies to flourish,” the agri workers said. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)

France, Satur to contest ‘child abuse’ verdict ‘in all venues possible’

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‘This is a clear miscarriage of justice’

ACT Teachers’ Party Rep. France Castro and former Bayan Muna representative Satur Ocampo said their conviction for “child abuse” is wrongful and they intend to contest the verdict “in all venues possible.”

In a statement after Tagum Regional Trial Court Branch 2 Judge Jimmy Boco decided they were guilty of “child abuse,” Castro and Ocampo said their conviction, along with administrator and teachers of the Salugpungan Ta ‘Tanu Igkanogon Community Learning Center as well as two from the Alliance of Concerned Teachers is “unacceptable and unjust.”

“This is a clear miscarriage of justice, and we will strongly question this decision in all venues possible.,” the two said jointly.

They added their wrongful conviction speaks of the continuing persecution of those who are helping and advocating for the rights of Lumad children and the persistent attacks on Lumad schools and communities.

The two activists also complained that the persons who are actually responsible for the forcible closure of the schools as well as the threats and harassment against national minority groups have never been investigated.

Castro and Ocampo were obviously referring to former president Rodrigo Duterte who ordered the close of about 200 Lumad schools across Mindanao.

Lumad groups also reported that Duterte carried out his threat to bomb the schools and was responsible for the massacres and assassination of school administrators, teachers and students.

READ: Lumad Schools: Isang masalimuot, malungkot na kuwento

“We remain steadfast in our support for the indigenous schools and communities who continue to bear the brunt of the fascist attacks by the Marcos regime,” the two progressives said.

“We persist in our call that those who ordered and orchestrated the attacks against the Lumad schools, specifically former President Rodrigo Duterte and the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), and endangered the lives of indigenous children must be brought to justice,” they added.

READ: Tagum Court convicts France, Satur; says 2018 humanitarian mission was ‘child abuse’

Decision assailed

Human rights group Karapatan said itassails the “unjust verdict,” adding the decision is an attack on rights defenders.

The group said the case arose after those convicted responded to calls for rescue from a group of Lumad children in November 2018 who had been repeatedly threatened and harassed by military and paramilitary forces that even locked them out of their schools.

“Judge Boco disregarded the defendants’ assertion that they were engaged in a humanitarian act, and that it was the military and paramilitary forces who were endangering the Lumad children’s rights and welfare,” Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay said in a separate statement.

“This verdict shows that even courts of law are increasingly being weaponized against human rights defenders,” Palabay added.

Palabay said they denounce the court ruling as proof of a stark double standard in the country’s justice system where the moneyed and powerful are acquitted while the rights of advocates for the rights of the Lumad and other vulnerable sectors of society are repeatedly violated.

“We know that this temporary setback will not deter Ka Satur, Rep. Castro and others in the human rights community from persevering in the collective struggle for truth, justice, Lumad and people’s rights,” Palabay said. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)

Tagum Court convicts France, Satur; says 2018 humanitarian mission was ‘child abuse’

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Groups condemn decision as ‘unacceptable’, ‘without basis’

[UPDATED: 12:50 pm] A regional trial court (RTC) decided a humanitarian mission in 2018 was a crime of “child abuse” and convicted 14 rights defenders, earning swift condemnation from various groups.

Tagum RTC Branch 2 this morning said ACT Teachers Party Rep. France Castro, former Bayan Muna representative Satur Ocampo and 12 others were guilty of the charges filed by the Talaingod, Davao del Norte police in November of 2018.

Convicted with the two progressive leaders are school administrator Ma. Eugenia Victoria Nolasco as well as Lumad schoolteachers Jesus Madamo, Meriro Poquita, Maricel Andagkit, Marcial Rendon, Marianie Aga, Jenevive Paraba, Nerhaya Tallada, Ma. Concepcion Ibarra, Nerfa Awing, and Wingwing Daunsay.

They are sentenced to a maximum of six years, eight months, and one day and ordered a civil indemnity of P10,000 for each of the 14 minors who participated in the mass evacuation of the Lumad schools in Talaingod.

The Court acquitted the four other respondents in the case, Pastor Edgar Ugal, Rev. Ryan Magpayo, Rev. Jurie Jaime, and Ellen Ordeniza for “failure of the prosecution to prove their guilt beyond reasonable doubt.”

In his decision, Judge Jimmy Boco said those convicted exposed 14 Lumad children to “potential endangerment” by letting them walk for three hours instead of finding motorcycles for them to ride on.

Castro and Ocampo on the other hand did not ask for the assistance of concerned local government agencies when they fetched the children, the decision reads.

Bulatlat however said in an earlier report that Castro and Ocampo’s requests for assistance from government agencies were ignored.

Castro and Ocampo rushed to Talaingod on the night of November 28, 2018 to bring food and other aid to Lumad civilians and students of the Salugpongan Ta Tano Igkanugon Community Learning Center in Sitio Sinilaban, Barangay Palma Gil.

They were blocked by the presence of paramilitary group Alamara and tried to lodge a complaint with the local police.

The police however told them they themselves were subjects of investigations and arrested the team.

They were then subsequently charged.

WHAT WENT BEFORE: Talaingod PNP charges Castro, Ocampo, others with kidnapping

Supporters of Castro and Ocampo picket the Tagum RTC building during this morning’s promulgation. (Karapatan photo)
‘Outrageous, trumped up’

In a swift condemnation of the conviction, the Congress of Teachers/Educators for Nationalism and Democracy (CONTEND) said the charges were purely “fabricated.”

“These cases are UNACCEPTABLE and WITHOUT BASIS. We demand the immediate dismissal of these baseless charges! The educators and representatives have only been extending aid and support to the Lumad,” CONTEND said.

“In participating in the solidarity mission, Ka Satur and Representative France, together with the Salugpongan teachers, responded to calls for help regarding the threatened and endangered lives of Lumad youths,” it added.

CONTEXT: The decades-old struggle of Lumad in Pantaron Mountain Range for ancestral land, right to self-determination

CONTEND announced the holding of a condemnation rally at noontime at the Commission on Human Rights in Quezon City.

Human rights group Karapatan also condemned the Court’s decision, saying the charges were trumped up.

“Stop the attacks against Lumad schools and communities!” Karapatan said.

Earlier, Castro’s party called for the dismissal of charges, saying their congresswoman joined the mission “as part of her duties as Member of the House of Representatives and a congressional representative of marginalized sectors, including the indigenous peoples.”

The ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights also called the charges “outrageous” and demanded justice for the accused. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)

Pagpupugay at pasasalamat kay Rene Saguisag

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By Fides Lim, Kapatid – Families and Friends of Political Prisoners

Yesterday (April 30), (former senator) Rene Saguisag, human rights lawyer, nationalist and servant of the people was laid to his final resting place beside his beloved wife Dulce. Our support organization of Kapatid – Families and Friends of Political Prisoners, and my husband Vic Ladlad and I would like to thank Rene with all our hearts for every help that he extended to us and for his legacy of nationalism, honesty, dedication and service. There is no counting his good deeds particularly for victims of human rights violations, which include the political prisoners, from the period of martial law until his last breath.

One indelible memory of Rene was when he would join us during court hearings on the “Case of the Traveling Skeletons” in RTC Branch 32 at the Manila City Hall. That case about corpses that literally sprung out of one grave in 2000 and surfaced in another graveyard in another town in Leyte six years later is straight out of the martial law dictionary of legal hocus-pocus. Vic was a political prisoner in Camp Nakar, Lucena throughout the time period of that case.

“This is martial law all over again,” Rene remarked, similar to what his contemporary Joker Arroyo (who also became a senator) said in open court. Joker, Vic’s chief counsel during his political imprisonment in martial law, was Vic’s principal witness for the Leyte case.

What particularly drew Rene’s attention were Wilma and Benito Tiamzon (reportedly top leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines) during those court hearings he attended in 2016. Both had been arrested and brought to court. Rene was delighted to find out that, like him, the Tiamzons were products of the Rizal High School. I noted that Wilma and Benny were at the top 3 of their graduating batch, which I read in a Bulatlat article. Benito finished salutatorian and Wilma was the first honorable mention.

Rene was most impressed. “Ang galing! Alam mo ba, pinakamalaking high school yan sa buong mundo,” Rene said. Indeed, no mean feat in what the Guinness Book of World Records lists as the “largest secondary school in the world” until 1993 (current population: over 14,000). “Dito rin nag graduate si Uncle Jovy,” Rene proudly told us, referring to former Senator and another fierce martial law opponent whom he considers his “idol,” Jovito Salonga. (Saguisag was related to Salonga.)

Rene had his differences with the Left but he respected and admired them for their bravery and idealism, not unlike his. In one column, he wrote how he and Joker and the human rights lawyers tapped by (President) Cory Aquino to join her Cabinet after the fall of the Marcos dictatorship in February 1986 moved to immediately release ALL political prisoners, overriding military objections. “The Left must have a place under the sun,” he told Vic, who was one of those released from jail.

It must have pained Rene to learn that in August 2022, his co-Rizal High alumni, Wilma and Benito, were arrested by military forces and murdered somewhere in Leyte. Their captors tried to make it appear that they were killed in a boat explosion during a military operation. But according to accounts, they were tortured first and then executed. Their lifeless bodies were dumped on a motorboat which was detonated.

In tribute to Atty. Rene Saguisag, following are statements from Vic Ladlad and from Rene himself for the Kapatid re-founding assembly. Rene’s statement is a mirror of his own life and “purity of commitment.”

Statement of Vicente P. Ladlad, MMDJ-4, Bicutan

I will always remember Rene Saguisag and will forever be grateful to him.

Atty. Saguisag did not know me personally when I was arrested during martial law on February 21, 1983. But he did not hesitate to join Joker Arroyo and Fely Aquino and other lawyers from the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) in filing a petition for habeas corpus at the Supreme Court on my behalf.

It had been more than a week after my arrest (at that time) by the Southern Tagalog Philippine Constabulary, but the authorities flatly refused to even acknowledge that I was in their custody.

Upon order by the Supreme Court, the PC presented me in an en banc session. It was there that I first met Rene.

Attorneys Joker Arroyo and Rene Saguisag argued my case in that Supreme Court hearing. Consequently, my mother and lawyers were able to see me in Camp Nakar, Lucena City.

I was among the many victims of human rights violations who benefited from Rene’s human rights lawyering. Mabuhay ka Atty. Rene Saguisag. Ang iyong huwarang tapang, katapatan at dedikasyon ay ang pinakadakilang pamana mo.

Your exemplary courage, honesty and dedication to the poor and oppressed are your greatest legacy. #

Rene Saguisag to Kapatid

(On the re-founding assembly held at the CHR, June 15, 2019)

It’s tough to lose a loved one, as I did in 2007, but at least there was some kind of closure. Not so in the case of desaparecidos, where one hopes that the next shadow in, or knock on, the door is that of the missing beloved.

In the case of political detainees, I can only admire the purity of their commitment, and the reminder that they continue to be ready to give their all to the Motherland, the physical and psychological torment notwithstanding. They continue to love Her with that kind of passion that whips the blood, and hang the costs and consequences.

Keep going.

As Ted Kennedy said in 1980, “For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream, shall never die.”

Here’s wishing the event every success. #

= = = = = =

About the featured photo:

Former Senator Rene Saguisag (extreme right)shares a light moment with Makabayan President Satur Ocampo and NDFP consultants Wilma Tiamzon, Benito Tiamzon, Adelberto Silva and Vicente Ladlad during a short break at the Manila RTC Branch 32 hearing on Aug. 10, 2016. Ocampo and the NDFP consultants were included in the DOJ’s terror-listing petition. (Photo by Ronalyn V. Olea/Bulatlat)

Reaksyon ng isa sa naakusahan sa pagbasura ng RTC sa gawa-gawang kasong pagpatay

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Nakapanayam ng Kodao Productions si Satur Ocampo mula sa Koalisyong Makabayan, isa sa 15 inakusahan ng gawa-gawang kaso ng multiple murder hinggil sa Hilongos mass graves. Inilabas noong Disyembre 16 ng Regional Trial Court (RTC) Manila Branch 32 ang kautusang pagbasura sa nabanggit na kaso.

‘Hindi lakas kundi kahinaan’

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Hinggil sa pag-aresto sa mga sibilyan sa Bacolod: “Hindi pagpapakita ng lakas kundi kahinaan at desperasyon ng gubyernong Duterte itong ginagawa niya.”–Satur Ocampo, Bayan Muna

Court denies gov’t move to jail Satur anew

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A Manila Court denied a motion by government prosecutors to jail journalist and former Bayan Muna representative Satur Ocampo anew, saying Ocampo’s bail bond remains in effect until proceedings on a murder charge against him has been terminated.

In an order dated Monday, August 19, Presiding Judge Thelma Bunyi-Medina of the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 32 said she finds no reason to issue a recommitment order against Ocampo.

“Plainly, the grant of bail to accused-movant Ocampo is not subject to any other condition, except that its effectivity is until the termination of the proceedings of this case,” Bunyi-Medina’s order reads.

The Court is hearing the murder charge against Ocampo for allegedly ordering the mass murder of at least 15 individuals alleged by the military as victims of a supposed purge by the Communist Party of the Philippines in the mid-1980s.

Ocampo has repeatedly said that the charge was laughable, explaining that he was still in jail in 1984 when government witnesses alleged that he gave the order in an underground meeting in Leyte.

In a motion to the court last June 12, government prosecutors argued Ocampo abused his provisional liberty when he was involved in the alleged kidnapping of Lumad children who fled their homes in Talaingod, Davao del Norte last November.

Ocampo, along with Act Teachers’ Party Representative France Castro, were charged with violations of Republic Act No. 10364 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012 before Branch 2 of the Tagum City RTC.

“This renders him unworthy of the temporary liberty granted to him,” the prosecutors said.

Ocampo (center) reads the order junking the government’s appeal to jail him anew. Jailed National Democratic Front of the Philippines peace consultants Vicente Ladlad (left) and Adelberto Silva (right) look on. (Photo by Atty Kristina Conti/PILC)

Ocampo and Castro, however, said they did not go to Talaingod to kidnap the children but to show their support to the Lumad who fled Sitio Nasilaban, Barangay Palma Gil in Talaingod after elements of the 56th Infantry Battallion of the Philippine Army and the Alamara paramilitary band forcibly closed down their community school.

Through his Public Interest Law Center (PILC) lawyers, Ocampo said they were allowed to post bail after their arrest and the case is in a pre-trial stage at the Tagum City Regional Trial Court.

“The prosecution maliciously insinuates that accused Ocampo is already guilty of kidnapping and child abuse, while he is entitled to a presumption of innocence,” the PILC said in their oppostion to the government prosecutors’ move.

Judge Bunyi-Medina agreed with Ocampo’s lawyers, saying “[A]s admitted by the prosecution, said case is still pending before Branch 2 of the [RTC] of Tagum City, Davao del Norte, nor was it shown that a warrant of arrest was issued against him.”

The PILC said the motion by the government prosecutors is “politically motivated and legally baseless.”

“Ka Satur has weathered through some 12 cases – none of which he has been convicted in, all false and trumped-up,” the PILC said. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)

Free Satur and France; free the Lumad children

/in /by

The Children’s Rehabilitation Center (CRC) condemns the illegal detention of Former Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo and ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro and other delegates of the National Solidarity Mission (NSM) in Davao del Norte since 9:30 pm last night November 28 by the combined elements of the 56th IB, Philippine National Police and Municipal Social Work and Development Officers.

CRC also denounces threats of Anti-Trafficking and violation of RA 7610 charges against the NSM delegation, after rescuing the Lumad people from further harassment of the army and ALAMARA in their community following the closure of the main school of Salugpongan Ta Tanu Igkakanon Learning Center Inc (STTILCI) in Dulyan, Davao del Norte yesterday November 28, 2018.

The escalation of military attacks on schools spread fear and paranoia among children in the schools of STTILCI and the Lumad communities in Mindanao.

CRC calls for the release of Rep. Satur Ocampo, Rep France Castro and the rest of the NSM. End Martial Law in Mindanao. Let the children study in their schools, pull out military troops from the Lumad communities. #