“Unjust and unacceptable” is how minority rights defenders, human rights groups, lawyers, and others described the Court of Appeals (CA) confirmation of the verdict against the Talaingod 13. The court convicted the Talaingod 13 of “child abuse” on July 15, 2024. The CA in Cagayan de Oro affirmed the verdict on December 16. On January 6, the Talaingod 13 filed a motion for reconsideration before the CA to challenge the confirmation.

The Talaingod 13 was a group that rescued Lumad teachers and students in Talaingod, Davao del Norte on November 28, 2018. The delegation included former Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro, Ma. Eugenia Victoria Nolasco, and nine other former teachers.

According to the indigenous people, the unjust decision against the Talaingod 13 directly attacks them, and is part of a broader state strategy to silence supporters of indigenous peoples’ struggles.

“No child and no parent filed a complaint. No harm was proven, yet the teachers were convicted,” former Rep. Eufemia Cullamat said.