“We must be wary of false notions about reporters: no one gives their lives for journalism — it is taken from them; journalists do not just die — they are killed,” RSF said.
Rights defenders and other activists gathered at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila to commemorate this year’s International Human Rights Day, denouncing continuing human rights violations under the Ferdinand Marcos Jr. government.
Paalala ito na laging may pagkakataon para sa pagkakabuo at katarungan — ang makapiling muli ang pamilya at maranasan ang pagmamahal na karapat-dapat sa bawat bilanggong pulitikal sa kanilang paglalakbay tungo sa paglaya.
The Ferdinand Marcos Jr. government is one of the deadliest regimes against environmental defenders with 107 killings in less than 42 months, Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment reported.
“BAYAN condemns the duplicity of the Marcos Jr. government, which claims to be against corruption but whose 2026 budget contains pork barrel projects through “allocables” of lawmakers, bloated unprogrammed appropriations and higher confidential and intelligence funds for the Office of the President.”
Earth Island Institute Philippines said the event is in solidarity with frontline communities opposing destructive projects and called on policymakers to uphold environmental and human rights protections.
The Philippine Army announced the death of two of its soldiers in a clash with the New People’s Army in San Jose de Buan, Northern Samar, on Wednesday, December 3.
“To claim that the endgame is near is self-serving for a government that has yet to file charges against high-ranking officials in the House, Senate, and DPWH,” BAYAN secretary general Raymond Palatino said.
The group in a press conference on Tuesday said government corruption is a human rights issue, pointing out that the government hits protesters with violations such as mass arrests, police brutality and filing of criminal charges.
The police on Sunday arrested three persons for wearing balaclava at the Bahain ang Luneta 2.0 protests for supposed violation of a City of Manila ordinance, raising concerns however about the true intent of the local measure.
