KARAPATAN on the Second Anniversary of the Unjust Conviction of the Talaingod 13
KARAPATAN Public Information
PRESS RELEASE
15 July 2026
Reference: Cristina Palabay, KARAPATAN secretary general, 09173162831
KARAPATAN Public Information Desk, 09189790580
KARAPATAN on the Second Anniversary of the Unjust Conviction of the Talaingod 13
KARAPATAN joins human rights defenders and solidarity groups in marking the second anniversary of the unjust conviction of the Talaingod 13 on July 15, and reiterated the call to reverse the verdict against former Bayan Muna Representative Satur Ocampo, former ACT Teachers Representative France Castro, and the volunteer teachers who participated in the 2018 rescue mission in Talaingod, Davao del Norte.
"The conviction of the Talaingod 13 remains a dangerous precedent that weaponizes child protection laws against those who sought to protect children from militarization, harassment, and State terror. What should have been recognized as a humanitarian act has instead been maliciously portrayed as a crime," said Cristina Palabay, KARAPATAN secretary general.
"The Talaingod case demonstrates how the Duterte and Marcos regimes increasingly defiled humanitarian work, and equated such acts as ‘terrorism.” Humanitarian workers, teachers, church people, and activists who stand with vulnerable communities are red-tagged, vilified, and criminalized, a grave assault on the principles of human rights and humanitarian action," Palabay added.
Palabay stressed that reversing the conviction before the CA also renders justice for the Indigenous People who were targets of militarization, forced displacement, the closure of their schools, and relentless attacks on their leaders. “The unjust conviction of the Talaingod 13 has long-lasting effects, including the fear and terror cast upon the Lumad communities and advocates. Acquitting them of the case vindicates them, and should be a venue to repair the damage done by such cases that are meant to harass and threaten.
"It is a cruel irony that Satur Ocampo, France Castro, and the other members of the Talaingod 13—people who devoted themselves to serving marginalized communities, are the ones forced to endure years of fabricated charges and unjust convictions. Meanwhile, those who have plundered public funds, abused their positions, and committed grave human rights violations continue to enjoy freedom and impunity. This exposes a justice system that has become increasingly weaponized against dissent while failing to hold the rich and powerful accountable," Palabay said.
"The conviction of the Talaingod 13 is an attack on every humanitarian worker, every teacher, every volunteer, every church worker, and every human rights defender who dares to stand with oppressed communities. If humanitarian solidarity is criminalized today, no one who chooses to defend the vulnerable is safe tomorrow."
KARAPATAN joins the call to reverse the unjust conviction of the Talaingod 13, end the criminalization of humanitarian work and human rights advocacy, stop the attacks against Indigenous Peoples and Lumad schools, and hold accountable those responsible for the continuing violations of the rights of the Lumad and other marginalized communities.#
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KARAPATAN is an alliance of human rights organizations and programs, human rights desks and committees of people’s organizations, and individual advocates committed to the defense and promotion of people’s rights and civil liberties. It monitors and documents cases of human rights violations, assists and defends victims and conducts education, training and campaign. It was established in 1995.