Satur Ocampo, others indicted for child abuse, kidnapping

MANILA, Philippines — Former Bayan Muna representative Satur Ocampo and ACT party-list Rep. France Castro led 16 others in being charged with child abuse and kidnapping following their arrest earlier this week in Davao Del Norte. 

Ocampo, Castro, four pastors and lumad school faculty have been indicted for violation of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.

Provincial Prosecutor Norman Solis found probable cause to indict the 18 suspects for violations of Article VI, Section 10a or for allegedly engaging in conditions prejudicial to the children’s development. 

Solis recommended bail at P80,000 each for the suspects who are held under custody at the Talaingod Municipal Police Station until preliminary investigation.

Ocampo and his group voluntarily waived their rights under the provisions of Article 125 of the Revised Penal Code on illegal detention. 

The suspects were arrested after they were allegedly caught transporting children from Sitio Igang in the municipality of Talaingod to Maco, Compostela Valley when they were intercepted at a checkpoint. 

Minors aged 14-17, most of whom were students of the closed Salugpungan school, were supposedly rescued during the implementation of Oplan Dabaw Kalinaw. 

Regional police director Chief Supt. Marcelo Morales said they conducted the operation after receiving complaints that the minors were taken without permission from their parents. ?It said the Salugpungan learning school was ordered closed following reports that it served as a recruitment center of communist rebels.

“There were reports that the children were taught false ideas at school, far from the mandates of the Department of Education. Also, allegedly this group is using the children to be with them to rally against the government,” Morales said in a statement.