Indigenous Lumad and Moro leaders, church groups, civil society organizations, lawyers, and academics have renewed calls to overturn the conviction of the Talaingod 13, describing the case as a symbol of the continuing struggle for Indigenous Peoples’ rights, community-based education, humanitarian work, and democratic freedoms in the Philippines.
The appeal was made during the recently concluded KATUNGOD Conference 2026: Justice for the Talaingod 13 and the State of Mindanao at the University of the Philippines Diliman, held one week before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA).
The Talaingod 13 case stemmed from a humanitarian mission involving Lumad children and families displaced by conflict in Talaingod, Davao del Norte. Former lawmakers France Castro and Satur Ocampo are among those convicted of child abuse after the Court of Appeals affirmed the Regional Trial Court’s ruling.
In a statement emailed to Edge Davao, SOS Mindanao PH said conference participants maintained that the case should be viewed within the broader context of continuing attacks on Indigenous education, noting that more than 200 Lumad schools have been closed across Mindanao, affecting thousands of Indigenous children.
Catholic priest Fr. Raymond Ambray questioned the continued criminalization of educators and community advocates.
“What kind of society criminalizes teachers instead of protecting them? What kind of society closes schools built by marginalized communities rather than learning from them?” Ambray said.
Bishop Daniel Palicte of Davao City said the Talaingod 13 case reflects broader issues that continue to confront Mindanao.
“The two major political dynasties are already eyeing Mindanao as the decisive vote in the 2028 election. Yet issues of human rights like the Talaingod 13, the series of disasters, environmental destruction, hunger, and the Bangsamoro peace agreement are not decisively addressed by the Manila government,” Palicte said.
Conference participants also reiterated concerns over the continuing red-tagging, harassment, and criminalization of Indigenous leaders, educators, church workers, journalists, lawyers, environmental defenders, and human rights advocates, stressing that defending communities and advocating for justice should never be treated as crimes.
