APCHRP holds the Marcos Jr. government accountable for attacking the ISM delegates and rural communities
The Asia Pacific Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (APCHRP) condemned the state-sponsored harassment perpetrated by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) against the delegates of the International Solidarity Mission (ISM) attending in the provinces of Rizal, Occidental Mindoro, Negros Occidental, and in the Eastern Visayas, organized by Peoples Rising for Climate Justice. The coalition emphasized that such acts of harassment are clear attempts by the Marcos Jr. regime to silence those who stand in solidarity with communities affected by environmental destruction and human rights violations.
The purpose of the ISM was to express solidarity with Filipinos affected by climate injustice, study their living conditions, and assess the impacts of extreme weather and militarization on their communities. The delegation also documented the situation and resistance of communities affected by development aggression, such as the Kaliwa-Kanan-Laiban Dam in Tanay, Rizal; oil palm plantations in Candoni, Negros Occidental; and a real estate project in Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro, which has displaced the Mangyan-Iraya Indigenous community.
State forces spread violence to harass and intimidate the delegates of the ISM. Intense surveillance was observed, with armed personnel deployed in the mission areas, imposing arbitrary restrictions meant to delay or obstruct the mission under the pretext of conducting “civilian operations.” These actions clearly demonstrate the government’s continuing militarization to suppress legitimate humanitarian and solidarity efforts.
APCHRP denounces these acts of harassment as part of the broader pattern of repression faced by environmental defenders and human rights advocates in the Philippines. The coalition also strongly condemned the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) for its role in red-tagging, spreading disinformation, and justifying militarization against civilians, humanitarian workers, and environmental advocates. APCHRP urged the government to dismantle mechanisms that enable such state-sponsored repression and to uphold the people’s fundamental rights to freedom, safety, and participation.
In addition, we also urge international bodies to hold Marcos Jr., the AFP and PNP accountable for violation of international humanitarian law, environmental destruction, loss of lives and livelihood of the peasants and indigenous communities. They must also be held accountable for perpetuating a prevalent state of impunity against environmental defenders, peasant and indigenous communities standing firm for life, land and livelihood of the Filipino people. ###
