APCHRP congratulates Aotearoa-Philippines Solidarity for its successful national assembly
The Asia-Pacific Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (APCHRP) congratulates its member-organization, Aotearoa-Philippines Solidarity (APS), for a successful national assembly last 10 May. Based in Aotearoa New Zealand, the APS was formed to raise awareness of the human rights situation in the Philippines and create active solidarity with the Filipino people’s movement.
The assembly was attended by activists from different backgrounds, including New Zealand-born Filipinos and those with no Filipino heritage at all. Attendees heard of the current human rights situation in the Philippines, including the ongoing targeting of activists, civil-society organizations and the widespread violation of international humanitarian law (IHL). Given the proximity of the assembly to the 2025 Philippine midterm elections, discussions were also made on ongoing power struggle between the two ruling political factions – the Marcos and Duterte camps – and the election-related violence being experienced in the lead-up to the election.
It is all the more important that the APS conducted this national assembly given the recent signing of a Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between Aotearoa New Zealand and the Philippines. The signing of this military accord is part of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s ongoing militarization campaign to appease the U.S. imperialists by provoking China. Having this agreement with the Philippine government also acts as a vote of approval by Aotearoa New Zealand to the U.S.-Marcos Jr. regime and its state forces, which have been instrumental in these human rights abuses and brazen infringements of IHL. A call was made during the assembly for the New Zealand government to junk this VFA, and criticize atrocities perpetrated by the U.S.-Marcos Jr. regime.
The APS Assembly also condemned the recent illegal arrest of Bayan Muna party-list campaigner Pauline Joy Panjawan, who went missing and was later resurfaced in a police precinct days later facing trumped-up charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives. A statement released by APS after the assembly called for the immediate release of Panjawan, and an end to the persecution of progressive political groups and candidates.
APCHRP is delighted to see a renewed commitment by the APS and peace-loving activists in Aotearoa New Zealand to lend their support and solidarity with the people’s movement of the Philippines. With the escalating attacks on human rights, the blatant violations of IHL, and the persistent targeting of activists and progressive groups, it is crucial to have a strong movement overseas to amplify the cries of the people’s movement in the Philippines and join them in their pursuit of a just society.
