Katribu calls to reverse the unjust conviction against the Talaingod 13

July 15, 2025 — Katribu led the protest at the Court of Appeals in Manila today to call for the reversal of the wrongful conviction of the Talaingod 13. The protest marks one year since the Tagum City Regional Trial Court Branch 2 unjustly convicted former Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro, and 11 Lumad teachers and human rights advocates—known as the Talaingod 13—of “other forms of child abuse.”

According to Katribu Kalipunan spokesperson Funa-ay Claver, “The unjust conviction of the Talaingod 13 is a criminalization of solidarity with Indigenous Peoples.” She further emphasized that the conviction sets a dangerous precedent for the continued criminalization and delegitimization of the work of human rights and Indigenous Peoples activists, especially those resisting militarization. “It is an attack on the rights of the Lumad, further isolating them from access to rights-based advocacy.”

The conviction stems from a rescue mission in 2018 when Lumad teachers and their students in Talaingod, Davao del Norte were forced to evacuate after the paramilitary group Alamara forcibly closed their school and threatened their lives. Those unjustly convicted by the Tagum Regional Trial Court were merely responding to the call for help.‎

“If anyone should be convicted, it should be the military forces who have committed grave violations against Indigenous youth—those who turn Lumad schools into military camps, who harass and red-tag teachers, and who have killed students like Jay-el Maligday and Coonie Cuba,” continued Claver. Claver ended by calling for the reversal of the conviction and accountability for state forces who continue to terrorize Lumad communities.

Reference: Funa-ay Claver, spokesperson