Naglabas ng joint statement sina ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro at dating Bayan Muna Party-list Rep. Satur Ocampo hinggil sa paghatol sa kanila ng Davao del Norte Regional Trial Court Branch 2 ng “child abuse” kaugnay ng isinampang kaso noong 2018.
Nito lamang Lunes, Hulyo 15, nang hatulan ng korte sina Castro, Ocampo at iba pang human rights defenders na “guilty” sa paglabag sa Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.
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“The decision of the Davao del Norte Regional Trial Court Branch 2 wrongfully convicting us, the eight teachers of the Salugpungan Ta 'Tanu Igkanogon Community Learning Center and the Community Technical College of Southeastern Mindanao, and two from the Alliance of Concerned Teachers, is unacceptable and unjust,” saad nina Castro at Ocampo sa kanilang joint statement.
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“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,” dagdag pa.
Ayon din kina Castro at Ocampo, binalewala umano ng desisyon ng korte ang mga testimonya hinggil sa patuloy daw na panggigipit ng mga pwersang militar at paramilitar sa mga paaralang Lumad at ang panganib na kinakaharap ng mga estudyante.
“Even the prosecution's own witnesses testified that it was out of fear that the teachers decided to leave the community to a safer area. The justification for the supposed presence of conspiracy has no basis. Our mere presence in the highway where we met the teachers and the children is insufficient to establish conspiracy,” giit nina Castro at Ocampo.
“The persons who are actually responsible for the forcible closure of the schools as well
as the threats and harassment have never been investigated.
“This is a clear miscarriage of justice, and we will strongly question this decision in all venues possible,” saad pa nila.
