The Court of Appeals (CA) has affirmed the conviction of 13 individuals involved in a 2018 humanitarian mission in Talaingod, Davao del Norte, a case that has continued to draw sharp and opposing reactions from the government and human rights groups.
In a ruling that upheld the July 5 decision of the Tagum City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 2, the CA found former Bayan Muna representative Satur Ocampo, former ACT Teachers Party-list representative France Castro, and 11 others guilty of violating Section 10(a) of Republic Act No. 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act. The case stemmed from an incident involving 14 Lumad minors during a solidarity and fact-finding mission in Sitio Dulyan, Barangay Palma Gil, Talaingod, on November 28, 2018.
Also convicted were Lumad school teachers and human rights workers, including Ma. Eugenia Victoria Nolasco, Jesus Madamo, Meriro Poquita, Maricel Andagkit, Marcial Rendon, Marianie Aga, Jenevive Paraba, Nerhaya Talledo, Ma. Concepcion Ibarra, Nerfa Awing, and Wingwing Daunsay.
Government, security sector welcome ruling
The Philippine Army (PA) and the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), through its Legal Cooperation Cluster (LCC), welcomed the CA decision, describing it as a validation of the country’s justice system.
Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said the ruling sends a “clear message” that individuals who endanger children and expose them to what the military described as “false and dangerous ideologies” will be held accountable under the law.
According to the PA and NTF-ELCAC, the accused orchestrated the transport of the minors from Talaingod to what authorities described as an unsecured location, allegedly placing the children at risk. The LCC maintained that it was the police and the military—not the accused—who ultimately rescued the minors, rejecting claims that the incident was a legitimate rescue mission.
“The overwhelming evidence shows that the minors were exposed to danger,” the LCC said in a statement, adding that the conviction disproves what it called “false narratives” surrounding the case. Both the PA and NTF-ELCAC emphasized their commitment to protecting Indigenous Peoples (IP) children and preventing their alleged exploitation by groups accused of advancing insurgent-linked causes.
Human rights groups, activists denounce decision
In contrast, the Defend Talaingod 13 Network condemned the CA ruling as “unjust and unacceptable,” arguing that the conviction criminalizes humanitarian work and advocacy for Indigenous Peoples.
During a press conference on December 19, the network reiterated that the group was part of a national humanitarian and fact-finding mission aimed at protecting Lumad students and teachers following the forced closure of Lumad schools and reported threats from the Alamara paramilitary group during the period of Martial Law in Mindanao.
Ocampo and Castro said authorities, including then Special Assistant to the President Bong Go, had been informed of the mission, and that the team acted to ensure the safety of the children amid escalating security threats. Castro denied the child abuse allegations, stressing that the mission was conducted at the request of Lumad schools and communities.
Makabayan President Liza Maza described the CA decision as politically motivated, alleging that it reflects government bias in favor of corporate interests seeking access to ancestral lands. Ocampo, now in his 80s, rejected claims that he would knowingly endanger children, saying the accusations were “absurd” and vowing to continue his advocacy.
Human rights groups and church representatives who attended the press conference called for the reversal of the conviction and an end to the militarization of Indigenous communities, arguing that the Lumad are the real victims of violence, displacement, and disruption of education.
Case remains divisive
The CA’s affirmation of the Tagum court ruling deepens an already polarized debate over the Talaingod incident—one side framing it as a case of child protection and rule of law, and the other as the criminalization of humanitarian action and Indigenous rights advocacy.
The Defend Talaingod 13 Network said it will continue to pursue legal remedies and mobilize public support, while government agencies reiterated that they will enforce the law to safeguard minors and national security.
As the case moves forward, it remains a focal point in the broader national discussion on child protection, Indigenous Peoples’ rights, counterinsurgency policies, and the limits of humanitarian and solidarity missions in conflict-affected communities.