News
Amanda Echanis freed after five years; James Jazmines declared victim of enforced disappearance
Student leader and peasant organizer Amanda Echanis has been released from detention after five years following her acquittal by the Tuguegarao City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 10 on charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives. In a decision dated...
Sara Duterte maintains lead over Marcos Jr. in trust and approval as corruption scandals deepen
Vice President Sara Duterte continues to outpace President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in public approval and trust ratings, according to recent surveys. A Pulse Asia survey conducted in December 2025 found that Marcos Jr. received a 34% approval rating and 32% trust rating,...
ICC: Rodrigo Duterte “fit for trial,” confirmation hearing scheduled for February 23, 2026
After months of debate over his mental fitness, an independent panel of medical experts appointed by the International Criminal Court (ICC) has unanimously concluded on December 18, 2025, that former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is “capable of standing trial,”...
Supreme Court upholds drug war conviction in Kian delos Santos killing
The Supreme Court has affirmed the murder conviction of three police officers for the 2017 killing of 17-year-old Kian delos Santos during an anti-drug operation in Caloocan, ruling that the teenager was defenseless and unlawfully killed. In a decision, published on...
Nearly 300 of Palawan’s Mariahangin residents face eviction; Senate urged to act on indigenous land rights
Calls for stronger protection of indigenous and community land rights have emerged after nearly 300 residents of Sitio Mariahangin in Bugsuk, Palawan, were sued by nine alleged landowners claiming ownership of their ancestral lands. The residents, mostly Molbog...
Activists arrested in Bohol and Baguio under Anti-Terrorism Financing Law
Two activists were arrested in separate operations in Bohol and Baguio last December 2025 under the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10168). On December 20, 2025, Carmilo Tabada, 56, a former staff member of the Central...
We mourn the loss of Dr. Jochen Motte
Dr. Jochen Motte was a representative of the United Evangelical Mission (UEM) and co-founder of the Action Network Human Rights – Philippines (AMP) in 2007, as well as a long-standing and valued colleague. He passed away on January 8 after a long illness. With his...
Filipin@s rally against corruption; Amnesty International demands probe into police conduct
Thousands took to the streets across the Philippines on November 30, 2025, to protest against corruption. Following a similar protest on September 21, the demonstrations focused on alleged irregularities in flood-control projects involving high-ranking lawmakers,...
Philippines and EU aim to seal Free Trade Deal by 2027
The European Union (EU) is stepping up efforts to finalize a free trade agreement (FTA) with the Philippines by the end of 2027, coinciding with the expiration of the country’s preferential trade access under the Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+). Under...
ICC arrest warrant allegedly issued against former PNP chief dela Rosa
Philippine Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said on November 8, 2025 that the International Criminal Court (ICC) had issued an arrest warrant against Senator Ronald de la Rosa in connection with former President Rodrigo Duterte’s so called “war on drugs.” Remulla,...
Families and journalists still call for justice at 16th Maguindanao Massacre commemoration
Sixteen years after the Maguindanao massacre, families of the victims, media groups and human rights advocates marked the tragedy’s anniversary with renewed demands for justice, stronger safeguards for press freedom, and full recognition of every person who was...
Court dismisses murder charges against journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio
A Philippine regional court has dismissed the murder charges against community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio. The Laoang Regional Trial Court in Northern Samar ruled on November 6, 2025, that the complaint misidentified the accused. Cumpio, 26, executive director of...
ICC rejects Duterte’s bid for interim release, affirms jurisdiction over case
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has denied former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte’s request for interim release, ordering his continued detention in The Hague while he faces three counts of crimes against humanity linked to his so called “war on drugs.”...
DOJ clears peasant advocate in terrorism financing case; court frees “Mabinay 6” after seven years
The Departmernt of Justice (DOJ) has dismissed terrorism financing complaints filed against church worker and farmers’ rights advocate Myrna Zapanta due to lack of credible evidence, a decision hailed by rights groups as a victory against the misuse of...
Journalism in the Philippines remains dangerous
The Philippines reported no journalist killings in 2024 - the first time in more than twenty years - marking a rare improvement in press safety. However, rights groups warn that media workers continue to face intimidation, so-called “red-tagging,” and politically...
Tough struggle in protection petitions in enforced disappearance cases
Nearly a year after Cora Jazmines filed petitions for writs of amparo and habeas data* over the disappearance of her husband, labor activist James Jazmines, the Court of Appeals finally held its first summary hearing on October 2, 2025. James Jazmines was disappeared...
Fifth drug war conviction: police colonel found guilty of homicide in 2016 killing
A Baguio City court convicted Police Colonel Dante A. Lubos of homicide for the 2016 killing of Ryan Dave Almora, who was shot during an alleged anti-drug operation amid former President Rodrigo Duterte’s so-called “war on drugs.” On August 22, 2025, Judge Rufus Gayo...
Erwin Segovia’s murder reignites outrage over media violence and impunity
Media organizations condemned the brutal murder of Philippine radio journalist Erwin “Boy Pana” Segovia on July 21, 2025 in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur. Initial police reports showed that Segovia was on his way home when he was followed by two unidentified assailants...
Supreme Court Grants Protection to Family of Missing Activist James Jazmines
The Supreme Court (SC) has granted temporary protection to the family of disappeared activist James Jazmines, ordering officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to stay at least one kilometer away from the...
Senate “archives” impeachment process against Vice President Sara Duterte
With 19 votes in favor, 4 against, and one abstention, the Senate “archived” the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte on August 6, 2025, in accordance with an earlier ruling of the Philippine Supreme Court (SC) that halted her trial. The...