House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Party-list Representative France Castro said the Duterte political dynasty is behind the ethics complaint filed against her in another bid to cover up their plunder of public funds and human rights violations.
After a petition for expulsion was filed by members of the so-called Ata-Manobo Tribal Council of Elders of Talaingod-Indigenous Political Structure at the House of Representatives (HOR) last December 10, Castro said the Dutertes persist in their harassments against her for exposing the corruption involving confidential and intelligence funds (CIF).
“We know the people behind these harassment suits. They are the same individuals being exposed as gross human rights violators and plunderers of the people’s money,” Castro said on Tuesday.
“They are doing this to get back and cover up on their evil crimes against the people. Their mass murder and their corruption are being exposed in the HOR quad committee hearings,” she added.
Castro also pointed out that aside from impeachment complaints filed against Vice President Sara Duterte, former president Rodrigo Duterte is also being investigated by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“So they are again conspiring with their fellow red taggers at the NTF-ELCAC (National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict) to harass those who expose their crimes,” Castro said.
READ: Makabayan resumes probe of Sara’s past confidential funds expenditure
Castro, along with former Bayan Muna Representative Satur Ocampo and other advocates have been convicted earlier this year by a Tagum City Regional Trial Court for committing “certain forms of child abuse.”
READ: Tagum Court convicts France, Satur; says 2018 humanitarian mission was ‘child abuse’
‘Criminalizing humanitarian work’
Castro’s case stemmed from a 2018 humanitarian mission she participated in to assist Lumad communities in Mindanao suffering from militarization.
She and her fellow accused are contesting their conviction before the Court of Appeals.
“For the record, the case against me, Ka Satur Ocampo, and our Lumad co-accused is still under appeal. There is no final verdict yet,” Castro emphasized.
“These fabricated charges are meant to intimidate and harass those who stand in solidarity with oppressed communities. But we are undeterred. We will continue to fight for justice and accountability.”
The Makabayan Coalition senate aspirant reiterated that the case is politically motivated, part of a broader campaign to silence critics of state-sponsored violence and rights violations.
Former ACT Teachers party-list representative Antonio Tinio pointed out that the Duterte administration’s use of the NTF-ELCAC and the continuation of repressive policies under the Marcos Jr. government have worsened the plight of indigenous communities.
The closure of Lumad schools, the displacement of families, and the harassment of indigenous leaders are glaring violations of human rights, Tinio said.
“Those who deserve to be hailed to court are those who violate indigenous people’s rights, not those who teach, defend and serve them. We will continue to serve national minority groups and demand for justice for the Talaingod 13,” he added, referring to Castro and her fellow accused.
Bayan Muna President Satur Ocampo echoed Castro’s sentiments, stating, “These harassment suits are desperate attempts to divert attention from the atrocities committed by the government against indigenous peoples.”
“The Talaingod 13 are educators and advocates, not criminals. They have been targeted because they challenge the state’s complicity in land grabbing and environmental destruction,” Ocampo said.
Calling the petition against Castro a “contrived ethics complaint, rights group KARAPATAN said it is a desperate attempt by the Dutertes to deflect public attention from the real issue of Sara Duterte’s gross misappropriation of her CIF.
“The Duterte regime had the gall to charge Castro, Ocampo and the rest of the solidarity mission with acts of child abuse when it was the regime that had, in fact, gained notoriety for its constant attacks on the rights of Lumad children,” KARAPATAN secretary general Cristina Palabay said.
“These attacks on Rep. Castro are not only against her person but are attacks against her advocacies and the oppressed and marginalized sectors whose interests she advances. To defend her would be to take the cudgels for the rights and welfare of the exploited and oppressed against attacks by state forces,” Palabay added. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
