JOIN THE GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION TO DEFEND THE TALAINGOD 13!

Initiated by: Defend Talaingod 13 Network

On 15 July 2024, the guilty verdict against 13 humanitarian workers, educators, and human rights advocates, or the Talaingod 13, was decided under Section 10(a) of the Philippines Republic Act No. 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.

The case stemmed from a humanitarian rescue mission conducted in November 2018 in Talaingod, province of Davao del Norte, where Lumad Indigenous students and teachers sought help after facing military and paramilitary threats, and the forced closure of Lumad schools by government security forces and paramilitary groups.

The case of the Talaingod 13 is not simply a legal dispute in the Philippines. It is a warning to all who give solidarity with those facing state violence, displacement, and repression.

This unjust decision declaring long-time activist and former legislator Satur Ocampo, former educator-legislator France Castro, Lumad teachers, and humanitarian workers guilty for carrying out a rescue mission sends a dangerous message: that humanitarian assistance and solidarity with vulnerable communities can be treated as crimes.

If rescuing threatened Indigenous children is criminalized, then the rights of all human rights defenders, humanitarian workers, educators, faith leaders, and community advocates are at risk.The rescuers became the accused. The Talaingod 13 were criminalized under child protection laws for helping children escape threats, harassment, and violence.

The unjust decision convicting the Talaingod 13 of “other acts of child abuse”, and its subsequent affirmation by the Court of Appeals, is an inversion of justice which transforms humanitarian action into a punishable offense and undermines the fundamental principles of human rights protection.

The case reflects a broader pattern of judicial harassment, red-tagging, state militarization of Indigenous communities, attacks on Indigenous schools, and the criminalization of human rights work in the Philippines.

Why July 15?

July 15 marks the 2nd year of the Tagum City Regional Trial Court’s guilty verdict against the Talaingod 13.

It is a day that symbolizes the continuing assault on Indigenous Peoples' rights in the Philippines, the right to education, humanitarian solidarity, and the work of human rights defenders.

An Attack on Indigenous Peoples

The Talaingod case cannot be separated from the broader history of attacks against Lumad communities.

For years, Indigenous communities in Mindanao have faced state militarization, forced displacement, red-tagging, attacks on Indigenous schools, and violations of their collective rights. Indigenous educational institutions established by Lumad communities became targets of harassment and closure, depriving thousands of Indigenous children of access to culturally appropriate education.

The criminalization of Talaingod 13 is therefore not only an attack on individuals. It is an attack on Indigenous Peoples asserting their right to education, culture, land, and self-determination.

Why the International Community Must Act

To Defend the Talaingod 13 is to stand for Indigenous rights, human rights, and democratic freedoms.

Across the world, Indigenous Peoples continue to defend their lands, cultures, and futures against dispossession and violence. Human rights defenders continue to face criminalization for protecting vulnerable communities. Humanitarian workers continue to be targeted for carrying out life-saving work.

Former legislator Satur Ocampo, former educator-legislator France Castro, the 11 others and all targeted Indigenous Peoples rights defenders assert the principle that helping people in danger should never be a crime.

On July 15, we enjoin the world to hold

• Protest actions and pickets at Philippine embassies and consulates;

• Solidarity rallies, forums, and public discussions;

• Send letters of appeal to the court and the Philippine government (including, Philippine government agencies based in the Philippines, and overseas in embassies, consulates, and ambassadors)

• Educational activities on Indigenous Peoples' rights and human rights defenders;

• Social media campaigns and coordinated online actions;

• Public statements, resolutions, and solidarity messages;

• Cultural performances, exhibits, and creative expressions of support;

• Raise awareness about the Talaingod 13 and the Lumad.

Our calls and demands

• Defend Talaingod 13!

• Stop criminalizing solidarity! Hands off our Teachers!

• Reverse the unjust decision against the Talaingod 13!

• Stand with Satur Ocampo, Rep. France Castro, the Salugpungan teachers,

  and Indigenous Peoples advocates!

• Justice for Talaingod 13!

Be part of the sign-on the statement: bit.ly/DefendTalaingod13

Join the Global Day of Action by connecting with the Defend the Talaingod 13 Network:

E-mail: information@katribu.net (Katribu Kalipunan ng Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas is part of the secretariat of the Defend Talaingod 13 Network).

Facebook: www.facebook.com/DefendTalaingod13