News
Conviction in Percy Lapid killing, mastermind still at large
A regional court sentenced self-confessed gunman Joel Escorial to eight years and eight months or up to 16 years in prison in the case of murdered journalist Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa. Mabasa, a vocal critic of the previous government, was killed in Las Piñas in...
New “super body” to enhance human rights protection
On May 8, 2024, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. formed the Special Committee on Human Rights Coordination under Administrative Order No. 22 (AO22) to “enhance the mechanisms for the promotion and protection of human rights in the Philippines.” This so-called “super...
Press freedom ranking: Philippines slides down two places
On May 3, 2024, International Press Freedom Day, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) published its annual press freedom ranking. The Philippines slipped in the RSF index from 132nd to 134th place out of a total of 180 countries. Despite the lower RSF rating compared to...
Forcible disappeared environmental activists in Pangasinan resurfaced
After three days of intensive search efforts, the missing environmental activists, Francisco 'Eco' Dangla III and Joxelle 'Jak' Tiong, were found safe on March 28, 2024. A fact-finding team formed by progressive groups confirmed that Dangla and Tiong are injured but...
De Lima: Marcos should put an end to drug-related killings
In a speech on March 18, 2024, President Marcos emphasized the alleged progress of his human rights policy, as the number of cases of crimes and human rights violations should have decreased under his administration. He mentioned that the number of index crimes had...
EU-Philippines free trade agreement talks starting
The European Union (EU) and the Philippines (PH) have officially resumed negotiations on a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA), according to a joint announcement on March 18, 2024. The EU-PH-FTA could cover a wide range of issues, including trade, investment,...
Davao City: Mayor Duterte declares “war on drugs”
Sebastian "Baste" Duterte, mayor of Davao City, announced a so-called "war on drugs" for his city on March 22, 2024, and warned that drug suspects would be killed if they did not stop dealing drugs or leave the city. Two days after the announcement, five deaths...
“Cha-Cha” might promote megadam projects and human rights violations
On March 14, 2024, the International Rivers Day, indigenous communities and environmentalists gathered in front of the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to protest against the construction projects of megadam and hydropower plants....
Killing of Baltazar: police officer convicted
On February 27, 2024, a Philippine court sentenced police officer Gerry Maliban to four years in prison for the murder of 17-year-old Jerhode "Jemboy" Baltazar during a police operation on August 2, 2023, in Navotas in Metro Manila. Instead of receiving a sentence of...
CHR calls for revision of NTF-ELCAC mandate
In a statement dated February 12, 2024, the Philippine Commission on Human Rights (CHR) called for a review and reassessment of the mandate of the controversial National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC). The CHR recommendation came after...
Marcos plans constitutional amendment for midterm elections
Shortly before his state visit to Australia at the end of February 2024, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared that he intends to hold a national referendum on the planned amendment to the country's constitution in parallel with the mid-term elections in May 2025....
Protection order for previously abducted environmental activists in danger
On February 21, 2024, the Office of the Solicitor General of the Philippines (OSG) filed a motion to lift a protection order for two environmental activists, Jonila Castro and Jhed Tamano. The protection order was issued by the Supreme Court at the beginning of...
Marcos Jr. meets Federal Chancellor Scholz: human rights not a priority
On 12 March 2024, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz received Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Berlin. In a subsequent press conference, the two explained that the talks centered on strengthening economic relations between the two countries, tensions and...
Marcos once again: ICC has no jurisdiction in Philippines
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reiterated that he does not recognize the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and that he does not support the ongoing investigation in the country. The ICC is investigating alleged crimes against humanity in the...
Philippines-Australia strengthen bilateral cooperation without human rights
As part of his two-day state visit to Australia, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. emphasized the importance of the strategic partnership between the two countries in light of increasing regional political tensions in the Indo-Pacific in a speech to the Federal...
AMP-Statement: Human rights violations in Philippines remain rampant under President Marcos Jr.
On March 12, 2024, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will receive Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Berlin. The state visit will also honor 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Labor migration to Germany as well as climate and coastal...
Marcos praises alleged successes of anti-drug campaign
In its new anti-drug campaign of 2022, the so-called "BIDA" programme, the Philippine government under President Marcos Jr. has placed a central focus on rehabilitation and reducing the demand for drugs in the fight against illegal drugs. On January 9, 2024, the...
UN Special Rapporteur Khan: Freedom of opinion and press in Philippines critical
Following a two-week visit to the Philippines, UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, Irene Khan, found the threat to Filipino journalists and human rights activists critical. During a press conference in Manila on February 2, 2024, Khan made a...
German Foreign Minister visited Philippines
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock travelled to the Philippines on January 11, 2024, in order to strengthen bilateral diplomatic relations. Baerbock met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo. Among others, she expressed her concern...
Marcos continues to reject ICC investigation
Since the reopening of the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation in January 2023 into the so-called "war on drugs" under Rodrigo Duterte - during his time as President of the Philippines and Mayor of Davao City (2011-2019), the Philippine government under...