Condemn the ruling against the Talaingod 18!

GABRIELA USA denounces the recent attacks and prosecution of the “Talaingod 18” - progressive leaders including former Bayan Muna Partylist Rep. Satur Ocampo, ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro and 16 others who were falsely charged with child abuse and human trafficking in Davao del Norte in 2018 - merely for protecting Lumad children from being brutalized by paramilitary who were guided by the Philippine Army. In that year alone under former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, there was a report of over 530 attacks on indigenous people’s schools which over time forced the destruction or closure of their gatherings. Over 2,000 Lumad children did not have access to the education that they needed to continue to learn their traditions and how to cultivate the land. 

This ruling exposes the courts have no intention of protecting the children especially Lumad children. Instead of actually prosecuting the real criminals like known trafficker and rapist Apollo Quiboloy, the court system has unjustly charged people in solidarity with the Lumad fight for self-determination and access to culturally relevant education. These things are significant to be able to establish connection to their ancestral land and is a crucial part of their lives. The children also attest to not feeling safe and are traumatized from aerial bombings that frequent the area. 

It is in fact the Philippine government under Marcos Jr. that does not care about the Filipino children and would rather militarize their lives in order to grant more foreign corporations access to our lands and resources. The stark reality for progressive leaders, activists, unionists is the level of state repression that continues to escalate under this administration. The Philippines is considered one of the most dangerous countries for human rights defenders and this court ruling is an example of that. We condemn the atrocities and human rights violations caused by the Philippine state and the political violence that the US continues to support as the main supplier of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. 

We encourage people to join the campaign to reject the PERA act! We must end any form of military aid to the Philippines - as it will only contribute to the further displacement of indigenous people, fisher folks, peasants and farmers. 

HANDS OFF ACTIVISTS! HANDS OFF TEACHERS! DEFEND LUMAD STRUGGLES! REJECT PERA ACT! PASS THE PHRA!