Manila, Philippines – Former Bayan Muna Representative Satur Ocampo maintained that he and members of his group were on a humanitarian mission, not illegally trafficking minors when the police stopped them in a checkpoint in Davao del Norte last week.
Ocampo was with ACT-Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro and 16 others. They were also released from detention on Saturday after posting bail.
In a press conference on Sunday, Ocampo said they were in Talaingod to bring food and other supplies to the Salugpungan School for Lumad children.
He said they learned that the school had been padlocked, forcing teachers and students to flee.
"Nagkaroon ng communication 'yung teachers sa Salugpungan, humihingi sila ng tulong. Nag-quick reaction kami, in-organize 'yung mission na parang rescue or salubungin at i-safety 'yung mga pinalabas na teachers and students," he said.
However, in contrast to Ocampo's statement, some 700 members of the Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities, government, non- government organizations and other groups on Saturday condemned the "unacceptable activities" of the former solon Satur Ocampo and his 18 companions after they were nabbed by the military for allegedly recruiting children to rally against the government.
The groups of IPs led by Datu Guibang Apoga rallied in front of a police station in Talaingod, Davao del Norte, asking Ocampo and his allies to stop exploiting the lumads, especially the minors.
Datu Allan Kausing, one of the members of the Council of Elders of Talaingod, said that they realized how the New People's Army (NPA) has exploited them.
He said 14 Salugpungan schools had been closed after the Council of Elders declared them as persona non grata because they do not have prior consent.
Datu Kausing noted that seeking a prior consent of the council for any activity inside the ancestral domain is detailed in the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA).
Meanwhile, a lawyer from Tagum, Davao Ahmed Paglinawan was also furious to Ocampo and his group over their nonsense "rescue" reasoning.
On a Facebook post, Paglinawan said that he knows some of the Lumads who spoke against Ocampo as he used to visit and help them too.
On the comments section of his post, Paglinawan stressed that people from Tagum are always ready to rescue the Lumads from Talaingod if need arises, thus, no need to wait for some people to do it.
Taga-Tagum ako. Lumaki akong bumibisita at tumutulong sa mga Lumad sa Talaingod at Laak.
Kilala ko pa ang ilan sa mga taong nagsasalita ngayon tungkol sa ginagawa ng mga gago doon last weekend.
Kaya wag nyo akong inuul*l, mga put*ng *na nyo. Sanay sa hirap ang mga taong yan.
Di yan pipiyok kung di umabot sa sukdulan ang ginawa nyo sa mga yan.
Tigilan nyo kami sa katarantaduhan ng kwento nyo.