Tagum RTC finds Ocampo, Castro guilty for child abuse

The Tagum City Regional Trial Court Branch 2 on Monday sentenced Act Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro and former Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo to up to six years of imprisonment for “other forms of child abuse” under Sec. 10 (a) of Republic Act 7610 also known as the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.

This stemmed from an incident in Talaingod, Davao del Norte in November 2018 where they were accused of transporting IP minors, who were students of Salugpongan Ta Tanu Ingkanogan Community Learning Center, Inc., during their solidarity mission.

In a 25-page ruling dated July 3, 2024, the court laid down the decision against Castro, Ocampo, and eleven other individuals.

Aside from the jail term, the court also ordered them to pay, jointly and severally, P10,000 as civil indemnity and P10,000 as moral damages to each minor, with an interest rate of 6 percent per annum from finality of the decision until full payment.

In a joint statement, Castro and Ocampo said the decision of the court is unacceptable and unjust.

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

They said the court wrongfully convicted them, the eight teachers of the Salugpungan Ta’ Tanu Igkanogon Community Learning Technical College of Southeastern Mindanao, and two from the Alliance of Concerned Teachers.

“This 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,” they said.

They also said that the decision ignored the testimonies regarding the continued harassment of the Lumad schools by military and paramilitary forces and the danger that the students faced.

They vowed to face the charges and will not go into hiding.

“Medyo emotional ako kasi as a teacher, ang naging trabaho ko naman talaga ay pangalagaan kapakanan ng mga estudyante, pagbibigay ng knowledge at ganitong kaso pa ang ikakaso sa akin, child abuse. Kaya parang masama yung loob ko sa ganitong decision ng Judge. But anyway, kagaya ng sinabi ko haharapin natin itong kaso na ito at hindi po tayo magtatago,” Castro said in a live press conference.

Meanwhile, former Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate said the case against Ocampo and Castro is just fabricated.

“Hindi namin inaasahan ng desisyon na magkahalo, merong kinonvict, meron ding inaquit, ang inaasahan namin ay ma-acquit ang lahat ng akusado dahil gawa-gawa lang naman ang kasong ito, lalong lalo na ng militar, sinusulsulan yung mga testigo para siraan ang nangyaring rescue mission noong November 28, 2018,” Zarate told the media.

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