From June 16 to July 8, 2025, Philippine civil society organizations (CSOs) participated in the 59th Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, to raise alarm about the continuing attacks on civic space under Pres. Marcos Jr. administration. The delegation was composed of Cristina Palabay (Karapatan), Mervin Toquero (National Council of Churches in the Philippines), Bishop Joseph Agpaoa (United Churches of Christ in the Philippines), Jose Enrique “Sonny”Africa (IBON Foundation), Atty. Josalee Deinla (National Union of People’s Lawyers), Jonila Castro (Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment), Ronalyn Olea (National Union of Journalists of the Philippines / Bulatlat), and Charm Maranan (Defend Southern Tagalog). They delivered reports on the Philippines human rights situation, emphasizing the rise in red-tagging, enforced disappearance, harassment, judicial attacks, and surveillance against human rights defenders (HRDs).
“Civic space continues to constrict because of widespread red-tagging, surveillance, and harassment. Red-tagging refers to the practice of labeling individuals or organizations as communists, subversives, or terrorists—without substantive evidence—as a means of harassment or political repression, commonly used by state actors in the Philippines to intimidate and silence dissenting voices speaking out for human rights. To date, Karapatan documented 3 million cases of red-tagging. More serious forms of human rights violations result from red-tagging, including arbitrary arrests and detentions, enforced disappearances and even extra judicial killings (EJKs). There were 124 EJKs recorded under the current administration and 18 cases of enforced disappearance. These figures do not include those killed under the drug war, which continues to this day,” said Marvin Toquero.
Meanwhile, there are to date 819 political prisoners in the country according to Karapatan’s monitoring. Of this number, 126 are women. Forensic evidence shows that the Philippines compliance to Financial Action Task Force Guidelines (FATF) through its anti-terrorism laws and mechanisms such as the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) attacks CSOs—heavily impacting on development and humanitarian work, and people’s right to development. “Women are disproportionately targeted—affecting their democratic participation in civic spaces,” says Atty. Josalee Deinla.
In the same week, UN Special Rapporteur Irene Khan delivered her report on her official visit to the Philippines in early 2024. Khan denounced red-tagging by state forces which continues under the Marcos Jr. administration. Khan brought to the attention of the UN Human Rights Council how the supposed fight against terrorism is being used to trample on civil and political rights, including the right to free expression and opinion. CSOs affirmed the recommendations of UNSR Khan—renewing calls to abolish institutionalized red-tagging through the NTF-ELCAC, which has played a role in red-tagging media workers, human rights defenders, and CSOs.
“Civic space continues to constrict because of widespread red-tagging, surveillance, and harassment. Red-tagging refers to the practice of labeling individuals or organizations as communists, subversives, or terrorists—without substantive evidence—as a means of harassment or political repression, commonly used by state actors in the Philippines to intimidate and silence dissenting voices speaking out for human rights. To date, Karapatan documented 3 million cases of red-tagging. More serious forms of human rights violations result from red-tagging, including arbitrary arrests and detentions, enforced disappearances and even extra judicial killings (EJKs). There were 124 EJKs recorded under the current administration and 18 cases of enforced disappearance. These figures do not include those killed under the drug war, which continues to this day,” said Marvin Toquero.
At the end of their participation, Philippine CSOs renewed calls to surface victims of abduction and enforced disappearances in the country. They cited the case of James Jazmines and Felix Salaveria Jr., who has been missing since August 2024.
“Ten months have passed, and there have been no substantial steps undertaken by the Marcos Jr. administration to even acknowledge the enforced disappearance of James and Felix, let alone work towards their surfacing. Time is ticking, and every second that their loved ones are denied information on their whereabouts increases the danger to James and Felix,” said Cristina Palabay, Karapatan Secretary General and co-head of the Philippine UPR Watch delegation to the UNHRC.
Philippine UPR Watch also urged the Philippine government to ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.
“We are one with the families of Sherlyn Cadapan, Karen Empeño, James Jazmines, Felix Salaveria Jr., and all desaparecidos in the call to surface them. Their abduction, torture, and enforced disappearances are stark reminders that the climate of impunity persists because of systemic failure and government policy,” said Jonila Castro who was also a victim of abduction and torture by state security forces in September 2023. The Council for People’s Development and Governance (CPDG) reminds the Philippine government of its commitments to the 4th Universal Periodic Review (UPR) which is now on its midterm towards the next UPR in 2027. “Half way through the 4th UPR, Pres. Marcos Jr.’s administration has not made substantial progress in meeting its commitments. While it allowed the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest of former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte – a major victory for HRDs, the government has yet to rejoin the ICC,” says Rochelle Porras, CPDG Vice President and Spokesperson. “The continuing attacks on CSOs – NGOs and POs alike, development workers and HRDs, impact heavily on communities, denying them their right to development, and access to critical support and services in times of crises,” said Porras.