Unjust conviction of Talaingod 18 proves ineffective justice system
Unjust conviction of Talaingod 18 proves ineffective justice system
By DANIELA MAURICIO
Bulatlat.com
MANILA – For former and current lawmakers of the Makabayan bloc, what they described as the unjust conviction of ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro, long-time activist and former Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, and 12 others reveal how ineffective the country’s justice is.
“This case proves that the justice system in the Philippines does not work for the opposition. It does not work for dissenters and activists. The Philippine justice system favors the wealthy, the powerful, and high-ranking military officials,” human rights lawyer and former Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares said at a press conference held on July 16 at the Alliance of Concerned Teachers office in Quezon City.
Recently, a Tagum court convicted Castro, Ocampo, and 12 other activists and Lumad teachers over trumped-up child abuse charges. The case stemmed from a 2018 incident in Talaingod, Davao del Norte, where a national solidarity mission led a rescue operation of Lumad teachers and students who had been subjected to harassment and forced closure order by the Philippine government.
Comments (0)