đź“·Courtesy: Kodao Productions
Bayan Muna today strongly welcomed the establishment of the Defend Talaingod 13, a broad campaign alliance calling for the dismissal of a trumped-up case now with Court of Appeals against Lumad (indigenous peoples of Mindanao) educators and supporters, including Bayan Muna President Satur Ocampo and ACT Teachers Representative and House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro.
These brave individuals have dedicated their lives to serving Lumad communities and providing education to marginalized children. The ongoing legal persecution of the Talaingod 13 is part of a broader attempt to silence indigenous voices and dismantle Lumad resistance especially against State-sanctioned land grabbing of ancestral domains to pave way for large-scale foreign mining and logging operations.
The Talaingod 13, with 4 other co-accused who were earlier acquitted by the Tagum Regional trial Court, have been falsely accused of criminal activities while conducting humanitarian missions in Lumad areas. Their case, which has been dragged out through the judicial system, highlights the state’s effort to intimidate indigenous leaders and supporters.
Bayan Muna calls for the dismissal of the baseless case and acquittal of the Talaingod 13, a justice that these educators and advocates deserve.
“The Talaingod 13 are not criminals. They are heroes fighting for the right to education and the preservation of indigenous knowledge systems,” said former Bayan Muna Congresswoman, Lumad leader and 4th nominee Eufemia Cullamat,
“Kaya nanawagan kami repasuhin ng maayos ang mga akusasyon at ibasura ang mga trumped up charges sa kanila,” she added.
Bayan Muna condemns the continuous criminalization of Lumad leaders, teachers, and supporters through fabricated charges.
These cases are designed to dismantle resistance and suppress advocacy for indigenous rights and education.
Instead of jailing the teachers and advocates, Cullamat saud, the violators of Lumad rights—those who have ordered the closure of schools, displaced communities, and harassed indigenous leaders—must be brought to justice.
“Panahon na upang tuldokan ang kampanya ng estado sa takot at terorismo sa mga Lumad, kailangan ikulong ang totoong mga naglalapastangan sa Karapatan ng mga Lumad.” Cullamat added. “Kailangan ikulong ang mga may salot, hindi ang mga taga-depensa ng mga Karapatang Pantao.”
The Duterte administration, with its aggressive policies under the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), and the continuation of these oppressive practices under the Marcos administration, have led to the closure of hundreds of Lumad schools and the harassment and displacement of indigenous communities. Bayan Muna holds both administrations accountable for these grave human rights violations.
Bayan Muna remains committed to pushing for legislative reforms that will protect indigenous leaders, educators, and advocates from unjust criminalization. It continues to advocate for policies that uphold the rights of indigenous peoples to education, ancestral lands, and self-determination.
“Hindi kami titigil hanggang hindi mabasura ang mga gawa-gawang kaso na ito, nararapat lamang nan ito ay madismis. Kailangan din maipasa ang mga batas na mangangalaga sa Karapatan ng mga Lumad. Patuloy kaming lalaban sa loob ng Kongreso at sa lansangan para sa proteksyon mamayang lumad at mga taga suporta,” she said
Bayan Muna stands firm in its commitment to defending the rights of indigenous peoples. We will continue to fight for the acquittal of the Talaingod 13, the protection of Lumad education, and the accountability of those who have violated the rights of indigenous communities.#
