Talaingod 13 Conviction Marks One Year of Struggle
Cagayan de Oro City ― Indigenous advocates and community educators marked the first anniversary of the Talaingod 13 conviction, highlighting the ongoing fight for justice. These 13 Lumad teachers and advocates were convicted on July 15, 2024, by Tagum City’s Branch 7 Regional Trial Court for child abuse. Supporters insist the conviction was politically motivated, as no complaints came from parents or students.
The Talaingod 13 conviction has stirred strong reactions from indigenous rights groups and legal defenders. They argue the accused were protecting Lumad children and ancestral lands, not abusing children. The case, now under appeal, has raised concerns about the treatment of indigenous educators and community schools across the country.
Supporters Demand Justice for Talaingod 13
The 13 individuals, known collectively as the Talaingod 13, were sentenced to four to six years in prison. Their supporters, including the Save Our Schools (SOS) Network, emphasize that Lumad children testified in favor of their teachers. They also note that the case was initiated by state security forces rather than any harmed party.
The arrested educators had been assisting Lumad students in Talaingod, Davao del Norte, who were displaced after government orders shut down community-run schools. These schools were accused of having ties with communist rebels, an allegation that advocates strongly deny.
Impact on Indigenous Education and Rights
SOS Network convenors, including church and education leaders, stressed that the ruling’s outcome will influence how indigenous education and grassroots defenders are treated nationwide. Lawyer Glocelito Jayma, representing the Talaingod 13, expressed hope that the Court of Appeals will overturn the conviction based on strong evidence.
“Our expectation is that, hopefully, the evidence will be considered by the court,” Jayma said.
Sr. Concepcion Gasang, a key advocate, explained the vital role of Lumad schools. “Lumad schools are not threats. They are lifelines. They were created by communities who had no access to public services,” she told reporters.
Defending Indigenous Schools Against Repression
Lumad advocates believe the case against the Talaingod 13 is part of a broader effort to suppress indigenous education and dismantle schools that empower students to resist so-called “development aggression.”
Often situated in underserved areas, Lumad schools teach literacy, culture, and self-determination, including protecting ancestral domains from mining, illegal logging, and land-grabbing. Since 2016, over 200 Lumad schools have been forcibly closed, according to the SOS Network.
The anniversary commemoration, held during the Katungod Conference 2025 organized by the Social Action Center of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, gathered indigenous peoples, church leaders, educators, environmental defenders, youth, and faith groups. They called on the Court of Appeals to reverse the conviction and urged the Department of Education, led by Secretary Sonny Angara, to review and reinstate Lumad schools.
They also appealed to the public to “uphold the truth” and “stand with indigenous communities.”
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