MANILA – Former Bayan Muna representative Satur Ocampo and 17 others have been released from detention in Talaingod, Davao del Norte after posting bail on Saturday evening.
But their legal battle was apparently just starting as the police expressed intent in pressing charges against them.
Accused of human trafficking in relation with kidnapping, child abuse and failure to return a minor, Ocampo and company each posted an P80,000 bond.
“The respondents are still presumed innocent and no information has been filed against them,” Executive Judge Arlene Palabrica of the 11th Judicial Region said in a ruling released at around 8 p.m. Saturday. “Their supreme right to liberty must be upheld.”
Aside from Ocampo, also released from detention were ACT Teachers party-list representative France Castro, Meggie Nolasco, Pastor Edgar Ugal, Rev. Ryan Magpayo, Pastor Eller Ordeza, Rev. Jurie Jaime, Jesus Modamo, Maryro Poquita, Maria Concepcion Ibarra, Jenveive Paraba, Merhaya Talledo, Maricel Angdagkit, Marcial Rendon, Ariel Ansan, Mariane Aga, Nerfa Awing, and Wingwing Daunsay.
“The police officer or military personnel or anybody who has custody of the above-named respondents are ordered to release them from custody and detention,” said the judge.
The respondents were stopped at a police checkpoint in Talaingod town on Wednesday. With them were 14 minors, who were reportedly students of the Salugpungan Learning Center, a school for Lumad children.
The group failed to present documents of parental consent for the minors.
Ocampo’s camp denied the kidnapping and trafficking allegations, saying they were simply delivering school supplies and food to the community as part of their “National Solidarity Mission.”
But the Davao del Norte Police Provincial Office was out to gather more information to strengthen their case against Ocampo and the others.
Officers will draft affidavits supporting their accusations, provincial police director Ferlu J. Silvio told Super Radyo dzBB. “Magkakaroon po kami ng meeting para mapalakas pa ang kaso.”
Police tried to stop the release of Ocampo by bringing up arguments with the judge, Ocampo’s legal counsel Joel Mahinay said in a separate interview with the radio station.
“They were saying that we are still under preliminary investigation at may mga charges pa raw na non-bailable,” Mahinay said.
Police argued with the judge that Ocampo cannot be released on bail, human trafficking being a non-bailable offense.
“Nagbago po iyon. Nagkaroon ng changes sa decision ni Judge Palabrica. Nilahat po iyong kasong iyon sa kanilang pag-bail. Kaya natagalan kasi mayroong oral argument na ginawa,” Silvio said.
But Mahinay said the human trafficking charge had no probable cause.
“Wala, hindi iyong human trafficking. If ever kung may probable cause, ito lang (Republic Act) 7610, iyong bailable, iyong child abuse na medyo light lang,” he said.
“May arguments sila. Siyempre hindi pinayagan ng judge kasi para bang sila na nagde-decide,” he added. (With GMA News/PN)
