ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro (Rep. Castro's office)

By DEXTER BARRO II

House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro claimed on Monday, July 15, that there was a “miscarriage of justice” after she was found guilty by a court in Tagum City, Davao del Norte of endangering minors in November 2018.

In a decision by the Tagum Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 2, Castro, former Bayan Muna Party-list Rep. Satur Ocampo, and 11 others were convicted for violating Section 10(a) of Republic Act (RA) No. 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.

In a joint statement, Castro and Ocampo stressed that the “wrongful conviction” was “absurd and unacceptable”.

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

The Makabayan coalition members vowed to appeal this guilty verdict even if it reaches the Supreme Court (SC).

(Left) former Bayan Muna Party-list Rep. Satur Ocampo and ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro during an indignation rally at the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) (Bayan Muna)

According to Castro, the guilty verdict stemmed from accusations that they held minors during a rescue mission of Lumad students and teachers from a paramilitary group and the military.

"The effect of this decision is that rescuing children from military intimidation and harassment is wrong and the children would have to go through bureaucratic documentation before they can be rescued in an emergency crisis,” Castro said.

"Why is it that the ones who rescued the children from harm are the ones being convicted while the paramilitary group, the military and the NTF-ELCAC (National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict) who were threatening the children go scot free? Hindi ba dapat sila ang kinasuhan? (Shouldn’t they be the ones charged?)" she asked.

Fellow Makabayan member Gabriela Womens Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas added that the conviction was a “blatant attack” on those who stand in solidarity with indigenous communities and their right to education.

“It is alarming that while activists and educators face unjust convictions, those responsible for the forcible closure of schools and threats against the Lumad community remain uninvestigated,” stressed Brosas.

Instead of these supposed “trumped-up charges” against Castro and Ocampo, Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel stressed that the government should instead pursue real child abusers.

Manuel named Pastor Apollo Quiboloy in particular, who he said former President Rodrigo Duterte “fiercely protects”.

"Rep. Castro led the charge to hold accountable the Dutertes for the drug war, daughter Sara for her confidential funds racket, and Quiboloy for being an internationally wanted child sex trafficker. This is sweet revenge for them. It would not be surprising if they had a hand in this,” he said.

“This is a political maneuver to pre-empt the 2025 bid of genuine opposition leaders with Rep. Castro at the helm," added Manuel.