House minority urged to express support to Castro, Ocampo amid child endangerment case

Opposition lawmakers have started a signature campaign in the House of Representatives to seek support for House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro and the others who were found guilty for endangering minors by the court. 

In a letter, House Assistant Minority Leader Arlene Brosas appealed to her colleagues in the minority to sign a statement in support of Castro and former Bayan Muna party-list representative Satur Ocampo.

“The statement calls for the overturning of the Tagum Court decision, which we view as a grave injustice and a threat to our collective struggle for genuine democracy and social justice,” Brosas said.

“By signing this statement, we send a powerful message that we will not stand idly by while our colleagues face persecution for their advocacy work.” 

Brosas said Castro and Ocampo’s commitment to the Filipino people deserves the House minority bloc’s utmost support and protection.

“I urge you to join us in this important initiative. Your signature will add strength to our collective voice and demonstrate the unity of the Minority bloc in defending the rights of our fellow public servants and the principles we hold dear,” Brosas said.

So far, the signatories to the statement of support were:

• Brosas
• House Minority Leader Nonoy Libanan
• Kabataan party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel
• House Deputy Minority Leader and Northern Samar Rep. Paul Daza
• Apec party-list Rep. Sergio Dagooc
• Philreca party-list Rep. Presley de Jesus

In a 25-page decision, the Tagum RTC Branch 2 found Castro, Ocampo, and 11 others guilty for violation of Section 10(a) of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act and sentenced them to imprisonment from four years to six years.

The court ordered them to pay, jointly and severally, P10,000 as civil indemnity and P10,000 as moral damages to each minor, with an interest rate of 6% per annum from finality of the decision until full payment.

Castro and Ocampo earlier said the court decision ignored the testimonies on the continued harassment of Lumad schools as well as the danger faced by the students.

Castro said she and Ocampo were invited to attend the National Solidarity Mission of the Salagpungan Schools. However, when teachers and students of Lumad schools asked them for help after being harassed by paramilitary groups, they only responded.

For his part, Libanan said the House minority bloc is saddened by the guilty verdict handed down against Castro and Ocampo “in a highly contentious child endangerment case.”

“We are fully aware of the circumstances surrounding the controversial case, and we remain hopeful that with a robust and persuasive appeal, the verdict may yet be overturned,” Libanan said. —KBK, GMA Integrated News