Tagum City, Davao del Norte – November 12, 2024
The Mindanao Indigenous Peoples Council of Elders and Leaders (MIPCEL) has released a strong statement calling for justice and accountability concerning Representative France Castro of the Partylist Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT). The organization expressed deep dismay over Castro’s continued presence in Congress despite her conviction for child abuse involving 14 Indigenous children from the Ata tribe in Talaingod, Davao del Norte.
The Regional Trial Court Branch 2 of Tagum City handed down the conviction on July 15, 2024. Castro, along with others, was found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violating Section 10(a), Article VI of Republic Act No. 7610, also known as the Special Protection of Children against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act. She was sentenced to a prison term ranging from four years, nine months, and 11 days to six years, eight months, and one day.
A Call for Expulsion
In their statement, MIPCEL urged the House of Representatives to expel Castro from Congress, citing the gravity of the court’s decision and its implications on the credibility of the legislative body. “It is unimaginable to us that Representative France Castro, a convicted criminal by a competent court in the Philippines, continues abusing Indigenous Peoples,” the statement read.
MIPCEL also questioned the actions of Castro during a Congressional Quad Committee session, where Atty. Zulieka Lopez, a fellow Indigenous Person (IP) and member of the Ovu Manobo and Bagobo Klata Cultural Communities, was cited for contempt. The group criticized Castro for allegedly celebrating the detention of Lopez, calling the incident a blatant abuse of power.
Advocacy for Indigenous Rights
Chairman Joel A. Unad and other leaders of MIPCEL emphasized their commitment to ensuring respect for human rights and the rights of Indigenous Peoples. They highlighted the emotional and cultural harm caused by the mistreatment of IP communities, especially when inflicted by individuals in positions of authority.
“We long to see a society and government that is fair and respectful of the rights of Indigenous Peoples,” the group stated, adding that the voices from ancestral lands will continue to advocate for justice.
Calls for Legal Clarity
MIPCEL also called on the Department of Justice to clarify the legal status of Castro’s conviction and investigate how she managed to evade enforcement of the court’s decision.
A Call for Unity
The organization reiterated its commitment to standing by the Constitution and the Filipino people, advocating for a fair and just society that upholds the rights and dignity of all, particularly Indigenous communities.
The statement concluded with a solemn reminder that the Indigenous Peoples of Mindanao will continue to push for accountability and justice, undeterred by challenges and setbacks.
Organizational Signatories:
- Joel A. Unad (Chairman, MPCPD)
- Jake Lanes (Executive Director, MIPCPD)
- Bae Norma Rivera (Chairman, MIPCEL)
- Atty. Marlon Bosantog (Epanaw Sambayanan Partylist)
