Makabayan: Detention of Satur, partylist solon shows martial law's reign in Mindanao

Former Rep. Satur Ocampo is held by authorities after joining a humanitarian mission to help Lumad students and teachers, following the closure of their school in Davao del Norte. Ocampo says a paramilitary group shut down the school after the military suspected communist rebels of "infiltrating" it. Photo Courtesy of Breakaway Media

Condemning the "illegal detention" of ACT Teachers party-list Representative France Castro and former Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo together with several individuals who were part of a solidarity mission, the Makabayan bloc of lawmakers said this showed the reign of martial law in Mindanao.

"This shows how, under the martial law regime in Mindanao, the basic rights of the most marginalized are denied them while the intervention of human rights defenders are criminalized," ACT Teachers party-list Representative Antonio Tinio said.

Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate said the military was again engaging in "harassment" and "vilification" of activists who want to help the Lumads and communities in the area.

"Kinukundena natin ito dahil ito ay tahasang paglabag sa karapatang pantao hindi lang ng mga guro at estudyante kundi kahit na yung mga tao na gustong magbigay lang ng tulong doon sa mga Lumad na mga estudyante at teachers na subjected to vilification and harassment by these paramilitary groups at military," Zarate said in a news conference.

Anakpawis Rep. Ariel Casilao said the incident revealed the "culture of impunity being imposed in Mindanao, heightened by the declaration of martial law in the region."

"Ginagawa itong justification para ganito ang level ng height ng impunity diyan. Hindi kikilalanin ang batas, hindi kikilalanin ang karapatan, ang democratic rights. Ang nasusunod diyan ay ang militar, ang mga paramilitar in the name of counterinsurgency," he said.

Casilao said the individuals responsible for the detention of Ocampo and his group should be held accountable.

Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas noted the "pattern of heightened violence and intimidation" in Mindanao since martial law was declared last year.  She also said that at least 37 women human rights defenders have been killed since President Rodrigo Duterte came to power in 2016.

Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao in May 2017 after the ISIS-inspired Maute Group attacked Marawi City, displacing over 200,000 residents including children.

Before it expired in July last year, Duterte asked Congress for a Mindanao martial law extension until December 2017.  It was extended for a year, or up to December 31, 2018, citing continuous threat and insurgency of the New People’s Army in the region.

Ocampo, Castro and some 70 others remain detained as a police station in Talaingod, Davao del Norte after they were held at around 9 p.m. Wednesday by the 56th Infantry Battalion in Davao del Norte.

Ocampo's group was in the area for a solidarity mission to give aid to Lumad schools and teachers and look into cases of human rights violations after the paramilitary group Alamara forcibly padlocked the Salugpongan Community Center.

The convoy carrying the mission was allegedly attacked Wednesday night by the paramilitary group.  The tires of some of their vehicles were spiked, gun shots were fired in their vicinity, and the windshield of the van carrying Ocampo and Castro was broken.

Reports said that said both Castro and Ocampo would be charged for violation of the Anti-Human Trafficking Act in relation to the incident for allegedly taking into their custody several students and teachers of the Lumad school.

"Nakakapanggalit itong isasampa nilang kaso na human trafficking. Ang pinunta doon ng ating mga kasamahan ay for humanitarian reasons, saklolohan ang mga estudyanteng Lumad at teachers. Hindi sila nandoon para i-exploit at gamitin sa masamang kaparaanan ang mga estudyante," Zarate said.

"Ito ay binabaliktad ng militar at kapulisan. Sa halip na kasuhan yung mga ilegal na nagsara sa eskwelahan, ang kakasuhan pa ngayon ay miyembro ng solidarity mission," he added. —LDF, GMA News