THERE was nothing wrong with the recent move of the police and military to arrest former Bayan Muna representative Satur Ocampo, who was accused of kidnapping and trafficking Lumad students, President Rodrigo Duterte said on Monday, December 3.
Speaking to Palace reporters, Duterte said the Philippine troops only "did the right thing," since Ocampo was clearly putting the lives of Lumad children in jeopardy.
"I think the police [and the military] did the right thing, irrespective of the intention. You know, they might have been motivated, motivated by all good intentions in the world, but there is the intent which is criminal in bringing out and transferring children from one area to another, especially using them, eventually using them in their struggle," he said.
"I support the police and the military. You know, an ordinary person, lalo na senador (especially a senator), you must be aware that you cannot remove children from one community to another without the consent of the parents. That is actually kidnapping," Duterte added.
Ocampo, former peace negotiator for communists, was arrested on November 28 along with incumbent ACT Teachers party-list Representative France Castro and several others for allegedly kidnapping and trafficking Lumad children in Talaingod, Davao del Norte.
Ocampo and his team were providing assistance to Lumad students when a joint police and military team nabbed them following complaints from "parents and tribal leaders" in the province.
Duterte said Ocampo was merely using the Bayan Muna, a leftist political party, to recruit Lumads to become members of the communist party.
"Ganoon naman ang komunista. Bakit pa tayo magbobolahan? (That's how communists work. Let's not fool each other). Satur Ocampo is fronting Bayan. Bayan is a front of the Communist Party of the Philippines. Bakit pa tayo... Alam natin na KMU (Kilusang Mayo Uno), Garbiela, they are communist fronts or being used by the communists," Duterte said.
"Eh nag-reklamo 'yung mga native (The natives complained). You heard, they were lectured upon by the Lumad, and it's all controlling the lives of the native. Iyan ang mahirap sa komunista. Ginagamit nila ang Lumad (That's the problem with the communists, they are using Lumads)," he added.
Ocampo, Castro, and 16 others were granted temporary release from jail after posting bail on Sunday, December 2.
Duterte, however, stood by the state forces' decision to arrest Ocampo and stressed that he is willing to defend them.
READ: PNP to re-file kidnapping raps vs Satur Ocampo, group
"I will defend my soldiers and my policemen for sure because I think that they are right. Otherwise, I will call their attention and stop it," he said. (SunStar Philippines)