Yesterday, former Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo and ACT-Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro were detained by the authorities after they were spotted transporting several Lumad youths.
According to them, they were blocked by the members of Armed Forces of the Philippines and brought to the nearest police station.
They claimed that the cops illegally detained them as they admitted that they’re still searching for a case that can be filed against the camp of Ocampo.
Ocampo said that they only went to Sitio Igang, Barangay Palma Gil in Davao Del Norte to help the children who allegedly being persecuted and claimed that the military forcefully closed a Salugpungan learning center in the said place.
However, some indigenous Leaders belied the statement of Ocampo’s camp, saying that the Tribal heads requested the said learning centers to be closed because it was allegedly being used by CPP-NDF-NPA to brainwash young Lumads to fight against the government.
A video posted by Hukbo.com showing Datu Andigao Agay and Municipal Executive Tribal Chieftain Bae Pilar Libayao confronting the group of Ocampo.
They complained why the group of Ocampo brought the children along with them without the permission of the tribe, even they see nothing wrong with the situation during that day.
“Hindi man sila inano doon, bakit kunin ng hating gabi, anong problema? May giyera bang nangyari sa bundok?” Libayao told the group of Ocampo.
Datu Agay also told the activists not the transport the children along with them.
He said that the Lumad child already told him that they don’t really want to go to Salugpungan anymore.
“Kung bisaya man ang guro ninyo, yon lang ang dahil niyon yung mga bata iwan ninyo, dahil may sinabi na sila doon sa silaban na ayaw na nila sa school ninyo,” Agay told Ocampo’s group.
“Isipin niyo ma’am estudyante namin pinap*tay ninyo, mga datu pinap*tay ninyo, maraming datu na pin*tay ninyo, tuwing papasok kayo dito may giyera,”
In another interview, Agay also urged the public not to believe in the claims of Ocampo saying that the activists really tried to kidnap the Lumad children.
He also explained why they don’t really want the Lumad children to study at Salugpungan.
“Naintindihan ko na hindi pala mabuti ang ginagawa sa kilusan (NPA) ” he said.
On Thursday, Ocampo and Castro were charged for violation of Republic Act 7610 or the “Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act” for transporting 14 minors without the consent of their parents.
Satur Ocampo et al., waived their rights under Article 125 of the RPC.
They will no longer question the legality of their arrest and detention and they will remain under the custody of the PNP. They are given 10 days to file their counter affidavit.
A bail bond is set for 80k each. Currently, they are undergoing booking proceedings. After which, they will be brought back to Talaingod PNP for detention.