DFA’s Locsin calls kidnapping, trafficking charges vs. Satur ‘idiotic’

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. came to the defense of former Bayan Muna Representative Satur Ocampo, and called the kidnapping and human trafficking charges against Ocampo "idiotic."

Human trafficking? Bullshit. I won't even bother to get the other side. I know Satur. We protected him in our Congress against warrants of arrest. https://t.co/SdiKRtVIde

— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) November 30, 2018

Locsin and Ocampo both served in Congress. Locsin was Makati 1st District representative from 2001 to 2010.

Ocampo meanwhile led the Bayan Muna party-list group in three successful elections: 2001, 2004 and 2007. He was also Deputy Minority Leader in the 14th Congress.

The Philippine National Police detained Ocampo, ACT Teachers party-list Representative France Castro, and 17 others last Thursday in Talaingod, Davao del Norte.

A group joined by Castro and Ocampo and 72 others was conducting a National Solidary Mission in Talaingod, Davao Del Norte on Wednesday to give aid to lumad schools and teachers in the area and investigate alleged cases of human rights violations after the paramilitary group ALAMARA forcibly padlocked the Salugpongan Community Center.

Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde, however, said on Saturday that the school where Ocampo's group allegedly brought lumad minors teaches different material.

Ocampo said the military had accused communist rebels of recruiting new members from the lumad school.

On Friday, trafficking and kidnapping charges were leveled against them.

Ocampo and his companions were able to post bail and were released on Saturday.

The Commission on Human Rights on Saturday said it has launched an investigation into the alleged detention of Ocampo and Castro.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo on Friday said due process is being accorded to Ocampo and Castro to give them the opportunity to file counter affidavits to refute the allegations against them.

Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde welcomed the possible filing of counter charges by the camp of Ocampo and Castro against the PNP and Armed Forces of the Philippines officers involved in their alleged harassment and detention. —DVM/KG, GMA News