DAVAO CITY—Police backed by Army soldiers arrested former Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo and 17 other leaders of militant groups and volunteer “lumad” (indigenous people) teachers on human trafficking charges. By noon on Thursday, the police had read charges of trafficking to Ocampo, Act Rep. France Castro, the lumad school executive director, nine volunteer lumad teachers, two other Act members and four Protestant pastors. ADVERTISEMENTCustody of minorsThe Talaingod social welfare office had taken custody of 14 minors, age 15 to 17, according to the police. In a statement, the human rights group Karapatan warned against the filing of “fabricated” charges against Ocampo’s group and demanded their immediate release. “This is nothing but clear harassment as they still refuse to release the group despite the submission of certification from the children’s parents,” she said.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer November 29, 2018 21:33 UTC