Teachers, along with others, gathered on August 10 in Quezon City to launch a campaign to defend Teacher France Castro, ACT Teachers Partylist representative in Congress and Makabayan Coalition senatorial candidate. Dubbed the Defend Teacher France Movement, they are pushing for the reversal of a court’s unjust conviction on child abuse charges against Teacher France and 13 others in Talaingod 18.

They signed a statement of solidarity in support for Teacher France. They expressed their anger at the unjust conviction imposed on July 15 against the Talaingod 13. “We call for discernment from our courts so that truth and justice prevail,” they said.

The signatories include leaders of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT)-Philippines, ACT National Capital Region Union, University of the Philippines Faculty Regent, Lumad youth, and others from the education sector.

They demanded that the absurd case of child abuse be outrightly junked, and the real human rights violators be brought to justice. This case stemmed from their rescue of Lumad school teachers and 14 students in Sityo Dulyan, Barangay Palma Gil, Talaingod Davao del Norte on November 28, 2018.

The groups assured that they will gather mass support for Teacher France’s advocacies including promoting children’s rights and freedom to participate in providing services to those most in need. They also stressed the call to stop the militarization of Lumad communities.

“We stand with Teacher France with a proven track record as a teacher-legislator, having been a classroom teacher for 25 years and a genuine voice in congress for the education sector,” they added. The group emphasized that the attacks against Teacher France are attacks on concerned citizens who want to participate in building a just and humane society.

Meanwhile, the collection of signatures to support Teacher France from members of the minority in the House of Representatives has begun. She served here as House Deputy Minority Leader. They expressed “deep sadness” at the court’s ruling against Teacher France and their “hope that a fruitful and persuasive appeal may reverse the decision.”

With Teacher France in Talaingod 13 are former Bayan Muna Representative Satur Ocampo, Salugpongan Learning Center administrator Eugenia Victoria Nolasco, and Lumad school teachers Jesus Madamo, Meriro Poquita, Maricel Andagkit, Marcial Rendon, Marianie Aga, Jenevive Paraba, Nerhaya Tallada, Ma. Concepcion Ibarra, Nerfa Awing, and Wingwing Daunsay.

Earlier, various organizations held an activity on August 3 in Quezon City to express their support for the Talaingod 13. It was led by the Makabayan Coalition, Save our Schools Network, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan and Katribu-Kalipunan ng Katubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas.