Human rights in the Philippines#Labor

{{expand section|date=May 2021}}

The concept of "human rights," in the context of the Philippines, pertains mainly (but is not limited) to the civil and political rights of a person living in the Philippines.{{Cite book|title = Human Rights in the Philippines: 1986 – 1991|last = Muyot|first = Alberto T.|publisher = Institute of International Legal Studies|year = 1992|isbn = 971-15-0313-1|location = Quezon City|pages = 1}}

Human rights are a justified set of claims that set moral standards to members of the human race, not exclusive to a specific community or citizenship. In the Philippines, Human Rights are designed for all Criminals and do not apply to people who these people abused, It will the chain if humanity, ex. A food chain that we know will break the cycle, this is the plan of Bongbong Marcos Administration. {{Cite book|title = Human Rights and International Relations|last = Vincent|first = R.J.|publisher = Cambridge University Press|year = 1986|isbn = 0-521-32798-9|location = Great Britain|pages = [https://archive.org/details/humanrightsinter00vinc/page/9 9, 10, 11]|url-access = registration|url = https://archive.org/details/humanrightsinter00vinc/page/9}} Membership in the human race is the sole qualification to obtain these rights. Human rights, unlike area-specific conventions of international laws (e.g. European Convention on Human Rights and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights), are universally justifiable as it pertains to the entire human race, regardless of geographical location.

{{Excerpt|Extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances in the Philippines|paragraphs=1|files=1-2}}

{{Excerpt|Extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances in the Philippines|Desaparecidos|paragraphs=1}}

Numerous sources had reported that torture was being practiced by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New Peoples Army,{{cite web |title=NOT ONLY THE STATE: TORTURE BY NON-STATE ACTORS |url=https://redress.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/JUNE-Non-State-Actors-9-June-Final.pdf |website=Redress |publisher=The Redress Trust |access-date=March 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119102319/https://redress.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/JUNE-Non-State-Actors-9-June-Final.pdf |archive-date=January 19, 2022 |location=London |pages=23, 32 |date=May 2006}}{{cite news |last1=Vanzi |first1=Sol Jose |title=CPP-NPA ADMIT TORTURE, PURGE |url=http://www.newsflash.org/2003/02/hl/hl017453.htm |access-date=March 19, 2022 |work=Newsflash.org |agency=Malaya |date=February 8, 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030824071025/http://www.newsflash.org/2003/02/hl/hl017453.htm |archive-date=August 24, 2003}}{{cite web |last1=Sarmiento |first1=Juan V. Jr. |title=Victims of Communist Party purge seek justice |url=https://www.marxists.org/history/philippines/purge/sarmiento/victims-seek-justice.htm |website=Marxists.org |publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer |access-date=March 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211111055402/https://www.marxists.org/history/philippines/purge/sarmiento/victims-seek-justice.htm |archive-date=November 11, 2021 |date=2003}} police and other security forces.{{cite web|url=http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/06/27/1714050/torture-continues-philippines-rights-group|title=Torture continues in Philippines — rights group|first=Artemio|last=Dumlao|website=The Philippine STAR |access-date=October 15, 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2015/01/29/philippines-end-police-torture-killings|title=Philippines: End Police Torture, Killings|date=January 29, 2015|access-date=October 15, 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.amnestyusa.org/reports/above-the-law-police-torture-in-the-philippines/|date=December 2, 2014|title=ABOVE THE LAW: POLICE TORTURE IN THE PHILIPPINES|quote=A pervasive culture of impunity is allowing torture by police to go unchecked in the Philippines. Despite the country’s ratification of the two key international anti-torture treaties, methods such as electrocution, mock executions, waterboarding, asphyxiating with plastic bags, beatings and rape continue to be employed by officers who torture for extortion and to extract confessions.|publisher=Amnesty International|access-date=October 15, 2017}}

{{See also|Labor policy in the Philippines#Labor issues}}

The Labor Code of the Philippines is the legal code governing employment practices and labor relations in the Philippines. The Labor Code stipulates standards in terms of wages and monetary benefits, hours of work, leave, rest days, holiday pays, and benefits, among others. The Labor Code sets the rules for hiring and firing of private employees; the conditions of work including maximum work hours and overtime; employee benefits such as holiday pay, thirteenth-month pay and retirement pay; and the guidelines in the organization and membership in labor unions as well as in collective bargaining. The prevailing labor code allows the typical working hour to be 8 hours a day, i.e. 48 hours a week with the provision that at least a day should be allowed to the workers as weekly off.{{Cite book|last=Commerce|first=United States Bureau of Foreign|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y5Ge3Vn8TYwC&dq=Philippine+Labor+law+8+hours+a+day+of+48+total+hours+a+week&pg=PA53|title=Investment in Philippines: Conditions and Outlook for United States Investors|date=1955|publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office|language=en}} The right to self-organization of a union is recognized, as is the right of a union to strike and to insist on a closed shop.

The Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act of 1997 recognized and promoted the rights of Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICC/IPs) enumerated within the framework of the Constitution. It committed the State to recognize and promote the rights of ICCs/IPs to:

• Protect the rights of ICCs/IPs to their ancestral domains to ensure their economic, social and cultural well-being and shall recognize the applicability of customary laws governing property rights or relations in determining the ownership and extent of ancestral domain;
• Recognize, respect and protect the rights of ICCs/IPs to preserve and develop their cultures, traditions and institutions. It shall consider these rights in the formulation of national laws and policies;
• Guarantee that members of the ICCs/IPs regardless of sex, shall equally enjoy the full measure of human rights and freedoms without distinction or discrimination;
• Take measures, with the participation of the ICCs/IPs concerned, to protect their rights and guarantee respect for their cultural integrity, and to ensure that members of the ICCs/IPs benefit on an equal footing from the rights and opportunities which national laws and regulations grant to other members of the population.

It declared that the State recognizes its obligations to respond to the strong expression of the ICCs/IPs for cultural integrity by assuring maximum ICC/IP participation in the direction of education, health, as well as other services of ICCs/IPs, in order to render such services more responsive to the needs and desires of these communities.{{cite web |date=October 29, 1997 |title=Republic Act No. 8371, The Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act of 1997 |url=https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1997/10/29/republic-act-no-8371/ |publisher=Government of the Philippines}}

There are international advocacy groups that aim to promote the causes of environmental and human rights defenders in Mindanao, Philippines. Activism carried out by transnational organizations, which may be described as ‘participatory’, may solicit engagement from local actors, stakeholders, and poor members of communities and include them all in policymaking decisions.{{Citation|last=Duraiappah|first=Anantha Kumar|title=Sustainable Livestock Management in the Kalahari|date=2003|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0960-7_7|work=Computational Models in the Economics of Environment and Development|series=Economy & Environment|volume=27|pages=185–227|place=Dordrecht|publisher=Springer Netherlands|doi=10.1007/978-94-007-0960-7_7|isbn=978-1-4020-1774-2|access-date=May 14, 2021|url-access=subscription}} Regarding the Lumad, human rights defenders wish to bring attention to Indigenous social issues. According to Duraippah et al., ideal participation is reached when the principles of transparency and empowerment—through the education of transnational actors through local actors—emphasize the needs of Indigenous peoples.

Social power illustrates the exclusion of Lumad people from political decisions, which in turn, perpetuates existing human rights issues.Katz, Michael. What Kind of Problem is Poverty? The Archaeology of an Idea. Territories of Poverty: Rethinking North and South (2015). Power in this case is an umbrella term since social power is the real desire in order to pursue true control over livelihoods and the rules that govern them. {{as of|1998}}, social power was not in the hands of Indigenous peoples, therefore, online organizing serves to arm individuals in their community organizing network with education to balance with the inherent power conflict.Keck, Margaret E., and Kathryn Sikkink. "Transnational advocacy networks in the movement society." The social movement society: Contentious politics for a new century (1998): 217-238.

Lumad peoples rely on the natural resources on their ancestral lands for their livelihoods; they are therefore deprived of means to support themselves and their families when they are displaced or forced to evacuate.{{Cite web|date=August 9, 2018|title=Lumad evacuees go back home|url=https://www.philstar.com/nation/2018/08/09/1841068/lumad-evacuees-go-back-home|access-date=May 14, 2021|website=Philstar}} Fundraising by advocacy groups serve to support Lumad communities and their highest form of protest.

{{See also|Environmental issues in the Philippines|Deforestation in the Philippines}}

Philippine Indigenous peoples are granted rights to their ancestral domain under the Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act.{{Cite web |last=Mawis |first=Sara Mae D. |date=2020-04-04 |title=Understanding the indigenous people’s rights to their ancestral domain |url=https://business.inquirer.net/294122/understanding-the-indigenous-peoples-rights-to-their-ancestral-domain |access-date=2025-02-28 |website=Philippine Daily Inquirer |language=en}} Under the law, ancestral domain belongs to all generations and includes its physical environment, including the spiritual and cultural bonds sites. The law also recognizes Indigenous peoples' rights to the natural resources within the ancestral domain. The 2022 State of the Indigenous Peoples Address Report by Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center states that 1.25 million hectares of Indigenous lands are threatened by destructive projects that may cause massive ecological disturbance including biodiversity loss and pollution.{{Cite web |last=Cabico |first=Gaea Katreena |title=Half of ancestral lands threatened by destructive projects — report |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/climate-and-environment/2022/11/07/2222087/half-ancestral-lands-threatened-destructive-projects-report |access-date=2025-02-28 |website=Philippine Star}}

Human rights groups, such as Karapatan, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch, have pointed to a culture of impunity as an issue that allows human rights violations to continue in the Philippines.{{Cite web |last=Gavilan |first=Jodesz |date=2022-07-31 |title=Culture of impunity: Law protecting PH human rights defenders badly needed |url=https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/culture-impunity-philippines-law-protect-human-rights-defenders-badly-needed/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228132208/https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/duterte-administration-blood-violence-drug-war-lawyers-activists-mayors-vice-mayors-killed/ |archive-date=February 28, 2024 |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=Rappler |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Ocampo |first=Satur C. |date=September 21, 2024 |title=Accountability to end HR violations impunity |url=https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/opinion/2024/09/21/2386779/accountability-end-hr-violations-impunity |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=Philippine Star}}{{Cite web |date=March 22, 2021 |title=Rights groups: UN accountability mechanism needed to end cycle of violence and impunity in PH |url=https://www.karapatan.org/media_release/rights-groups-un-accountability-mechanism-needed-to-end-cycle-of-violence-and-impunity-in-ph/ |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=Karapatan |language=en-US}}

The United Nations Human Rights Office said that the Philippines needs to address impunity and barriers to seeking justice. It said that the Philippine drug war and government measures against national security threats lead to human rights abuses, such as the vilification of dissent, arbitrary arrest and detention, and extrajudicial killings.{{Cite web |date=June 4, 2020 |title=Philippines: UN report details widespread human rights violations and persistent impunity |url=https://philippines.un.org/en/48334-philippines-un-report-details-widespread-human-rights-violations-and-persistent-impunity,%20https://philippines.un.org/en/48334-philippines-un-report-details-widespread-human-rights-violations-and-persistent-impunity |access-date=2025-06-11 |website=United Nations in Philippines |language=en}}

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is an independent office created by Section 18, Article XIII of the Philippine Constitution, with the primary function of investigating all forms of human rights violations involving civil and political rights in the Philippines. The commission is composed of a Chairperson and four members, majority of which must be lawyers under the constitution.

The commission is empowered to investigate all forms of human rights violations involving civil and political rights, adopt rules of procedure and issue contempt citations, provide appropriate legal measures for the protection of human rights of all criminals within the Philippines, and several other powers in relation to the protection of human rights.

The CHR is in charge of the following programs;

1. Human Rights Protection Program
2. * The Human Rights Protection Program implemented the Legal and Investigation Office which provides legal aid and counseling services; conducts monitoring of cases/complaints with concerned agencies; conducts rights based public inquiry on issues and concerns of marginalized and disadvantage sectors; and conducts studies to establish certain human rights conditions/situations affecting human development for the adoption of policies, programs and measures for the promotion of human rights. The Legal and Investigation Office also provides appropriate human rights investigative interventions; medico-legal services; conducts alternative dispute resolution of cases thru mediation; quick reaction activities; fact finding missions; rights based situation tracking and rights based investigative monitoring.
3. The Human Rights Education Teaching Exemplars
4. * The CHR established linkages and collaboration efforts with the Department of Education with this effort, the two agencies forged a Joint of Declaration of Undertaking (JDU) in 1992 and a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) in 1996 which provided development of human rights education curriculum for integration across the two levels of education. To implement the main provision of the Memorandum of Agreement, a joint project was undertaken entitled: Writing Workshop in the Development of Human Rights Education Teaching Exemplars for the Elementary and the Secondary Levels.
5. Human Rights Linkages Development and Strategic Planning
6. * The CHR established a Legislative and Program Division which is in charge of monitoring bills with human rights implications filed in Congress and coordinating in the preparation of the CHRP position on proposed measures. The LPD has participated in almost all committee hearings and Technical Working Group meetings in both houses of Congress and in such other fora on matters with human rights implications. Right to Development Program. A system of developing and monitoring rights-based programs and measures across institutions aimed at creating enabling environment for poverty reduction linked with the nine components of good governance as follows: Electoral and Political Reforms, Right to Development, Judicial Reform, Anti-Corruption, Governance Review, Civil Service & Economic Management, Globalization and Corporate Citizenship, Decentralization & Local Governance.

The Department of Justice of the Philippine Government is its principal law agency. It derives its mandate primarily from the Administrative Code of 1987 (Executive Order No. 292).[https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1987/07/25/executive-order-no-292-s-1987/ gov.ph] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190805140451/https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1987/07/25/executive-order-no-292-s-1987/ |date=August 5, 2019 }} Retrieved November 5, 2015 It carries out this mandate through the Department Proper and the Department's attached agencies under the direct control and supervision of the Secretary of Justice.

The DOJ, through its offices and constituent/attached agencies, is also the government's legal counsel and representative in litigations and proceedings requiring the services of a lawyer; implements the Philippines' laws on the admission and stay of aliens within its territory; and provides free legal services to indigent and other qualified citizens.{{Cite web|title=Vision, Mission, Quality Policy/Objectives, Mandate and Functions :: Department of Justice - Republic of the Philippines :: Tel: (+632) 523 8482, (+632) 523 6826|url=https://www.doj.gov.ph/vision-mission-and-mandate.html|access-date=October 13, 2020|website=www.doj.gov.ph}}

As the principal law agency of the Philippines, the Department of Justice carries out specific functions in order to fulfill its basic functions

1. Administration of the Criminal Justice System
2. * The DOJ investigates the commission of crimes and prosecutes offenders through the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the National Prosecution Service (NPS), respectively. The DOJ administers the probation and correction system of the country through the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), the Board of Pardons and Parole (BPP) and the Parole and Probation Administration (PPA).
3. Legal Counsel of Government
4. * The DOJ, through the [http://www.osg.gov.ph/about/ Office of the Solicitor General (OSG)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725083625/http://www.osg.gov.ph/about/ |date=July 25, 2015 }} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20151117033320/http://www.ogcc.gov.ph/about_us.php Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC)], acts as the legal representative of the Government of the Philippines, its agencies and instrumentalities including government owned and controlled corporations and their subsidiaries, officials and agents in any proceeding, investigation or matter requiring the services of a lawyer.
5. Provision of Free Legal Assistance
6. * The DOJ provides free legal assistance/representation to indigents and poor litigants as well as other qualified persons in criminal, civil, and labor cases, administrative and other quasi-judicial proceedings and non-commercial disputes through the [http://www.pao.gov.ph/page.php?id=10 Public Attorney's Office (PAO)] pursuant to [https://www.senate.gov.ph/republic_acts/ra%209406.pdf Republic act No. 9406].
7. Alternative Dispute Resolution
8. * The [http://www.gppb.gov.ph/laws/laws/RA_9285.pdf Alternative Dispute Resolution Act of 2004 (RA 9285)] created the [https://web.archive.org/web/20151117014355/http://oadr.doj.gov.ph/missionvision/ Office for Alternative Dispute Resolution (OADR)], which is an agency attached to the DOJ which function is to promote, develop and expand the use of alternative dispute resolution in civil and commercial disputes.
9. Other Functions
10. Witness protection – The [http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1991/ra_6981_1991.html Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Act (R.A. 6981)], mandates the DOJ to formulate and implement a Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Program for the admission and protection of witnesses.
11. Anti Human trafficking – The [http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2003/ra_9208_2003.html Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 (R.A. 9208)], mandates the prosecution of persons accused of human trafficking and for that purpose, created the [https://web.archive.org/web/20150728070444/http://iacat.gov.ph/index.php/about-us-2 Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT)].
12. Rape Victim Assistance and Protection – The [http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1998/ra_8505_1998.html Rape Victim Assistance and Protection Act of 1998 (RA 8505)], mandated the DOJ to participate in inter-agency efforts to establish Rape Crisis Centers in every city or province for the purpose of rendering assistance to rape victims.
13. Anti-Child Pornography – The [http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2009/ra_9775_2009.html Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009 (R.A. 9775)], designates the Secretary of Justice as member of Inter-Agency Council Against Child Pornography that is tasked to coordinate, monitor and oversee the implementation of Anti-Child Pornography Act

The Department of Justice heads a number of projects, among others are as follows;

1. Child Protection Program
2. * The Child Protection program implemented the Special Committee for Child Protection which is a body charged with monitoring the implementation of [http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1992/ra_7610_1992.html The Special Protection For a Child Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act (R.A. 7610)]. Which protects a child who is below 18 years of age or one who is over 18 years of age but who cannot take care of himself fully because of a physical or mental disability or condition from abuse.
3. Criminal Code Committee
4. * The purpose of the Criminal Code Committee is to form a new Criminal Code of the Philippines that is updated, modern, simplified, responsive and truly Filipino, in order to improve the administration of justice in the country and enhance access to justice of the poor and other marginalized sectors. It is composed of representatives from the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government.{{Cite web|url = https://www.doj.gov.ph/files/ccc/CCC_executive_summary.pdf|title = Report of the Criminal Code Committee|access-date = November 5, 2015|publisher = Department of Justice }}
5. DOJ Action Center
6. * The Department of Justice Action Center acts on complaints, requests for legal assistance and queries of walk-in clients as well as over the telephone. Any caller can talk to a lawyer or paralegal officer who can render him assistance.
7. Juvenile Justice and Welfare
8. * The Secretary of Justice is in charge of supervising the implementation of the [http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2006/ra_9344_2006.html Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006. (R.A. 9344)]. This act covers the different stages involving children at risk and children in conflict with the law from prevention to rehabilitation and reintegration.
9. Office of Cybercrime
10. * The Office of Cybercrime is in charge of implementing the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (R.A. 10175).

{{main article|Department of Labor and Employment (Philippines)}}

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) concerns itself with the protection and welfare of Filipino workers both in the country as well as abroad, and responds accordingly to socio-political and economic challenges that would affect the workers. DOLE is also mandated to create policies and programs as an arm of the Executive Branch in its field of concern.{{cite web |title=The Department of Labor and Employment: 80 Years of Service |url=http://www.mb.com.ph/the-department-of-labor-and-employments-80-years-of-service/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117043134/http://www.mb.com.ph/the-department-of-labor-and-employments-80-years-of-service/ |archive-date=November 17, 2015 |access-date=November 6, 2015 |website=Manila Bulletin }} It has set up a number of offices and agencies: 16 regional offices, 83 field offices, 4 satellite offices, 28 overseas posts, 6 bureaus, 7 staff services, and 11 attached agencies. These subgroups are tasked to closely monitor and coordinate the implementation of policies and programs.

DOLE, with the International Labour Organization (ILO), was a major contributor to the adoption of the Convention on Decent Work for Domestic Workers, the Maritime Labour Convention of 2006, and [http://www.ilo.org/manila/publications/WCMS_213640/lang--en/index.htm The Kasambahay Law] (R.A. 10461).{{cite web|title=Department of Labor and Employment|url=http://www.dbm.gov.ph/wp-content/OPCCB/OPIF_2007/dole.pdf|publisher=Department of Budget and Management|access-date=November 4, 2015}}

{{expand section|date=May 2021}}

{{main|National Commission on Indigenous Peoples}}

The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP){{Cite web|title=National Commission on Indigenous People - The Lawphil Project|url=https://lawphil.net/administ/ncip/ncip.html|access-date=June 17, 2021|website=lawphil.net}} was born through the merging of the Office for Northern Cultural Communities (ONCC), and the Office for Southern Cultural Communities (OSCC) in the year 1997 through RA 8371 or "Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act of 1997". It is a highly specialized commission with different projects for each region.

{{main|Security sector governance and reform in the Philippines}}

Reform of the Philippines' security organizations, particularly the Armed Forces of the Philippines and later the Philippine National Police, to align them with the principles of human rights and the rule of civilian law has been a government concern ever since the 1986 People Power Revolution deposed Ferdinand Marcos and restored the principle of civilian control of the military.{{Cite web |last=Correa |first=Joann Chloe |title=Backgrounder – Security sector reform, professionalization and the shift to external defense in the Philippines |url=https://secgovcentre.org/2015/12/backgrounder-security-sector-reform-professionalization-and-the-shift-to-external-defense-in-the-philippines/ |access-date=August 28, 2021 |website=Centre for Security Governance Website |language=en-CA |archive-date=October 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026065647/http://secgovcentre.org/2015/12/backgrounder-security-sector-reform-professionalization-and-the-shift-to-external-defense-in-the-philippines/ |url-status=dead }}{{Cite journal |last=Cruz |first=Rodel A. |date=2013 |title=Security Sector Reform: Way Forward for Democracy and Development |url=http://www.ndcp.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/publications/CRUZ_Security%20Sector%20Reform%20Way%20Forward%20for%20Democracy%20and%20Development.pdf |journal=National Security Review |publisher=National Defense College of the Philippines |volume=December |access-date=August 31, 2021 |archive-date=May 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200501083036/http://www.ndcp.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/publications/CRUZ_Security%20Sector%20Reform%20Way%20Forward%20for%20Democracy%20and%20Development.pdf |url-status=dead }} Broad principles to this effect were embedded in the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines, and the various coup attempts of the years immediately following the People Power Revolution led to the recommendation of more systemic reforms, as recommended by the 1990 Davide Commission Report and later reiterated by the 2003 Feliciano Commission Report.

However, issues such as extrajudicial killings,[https://web.archive.org/web/20071111154519/http://www.radiopinoyusa.com/radiopinoy_news.php?id=NEWS-00592 radiopinoyusa.com, U.N. RAPPORTEUR: PHILIPPINE MILITARY IMPLICATED IN EXTRA-JUDICIAL MURDERS AND POLITICAL KILLINGS] (archived from [http://www.radiopinoyusa.com/radiopinoy_news.php?id=NEWS-00592 the original] on November 11, 2007) red-tagging,{{Cite web|url=https://verafiles.org/articles/vera-files-fact-sheet-why-red-tagging-dangerous|title=VERA FILES FACT SHEET: Why 'red-tagging' is dangerous|website=Vera Files|date=October 11, 2018 }} assaults on the media{{Cite web|last=Dancel|first=Raul|date=November 2, 2018|title=Philippines: Most dangerous place for journalists in Asia|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/most-dangerous-place-for-journalists-in-asia|access-date=April 22, 2021|website=The Straits Times|language=en}} and other human rights issues have persisted through all the Philippine administrations after Marcos.

The International Labor Organization (ILO) is a tripartite organization that started working with the Philippines in 1994.{{Cite web|title = Philippines (Indigenous and Tribal Peoples)|url = http://www.ilo.org/indigenous/Activitiesbyregion/Asia/Philippines/lang--en/index.htm|website = www.ilo.org|access-date = November 3, 2015}} Its vision is as follows:

:"The main aims of the ILO are to promote rights at work, encourage decent employment opportunities, enhance social protection and strengthen dialogue on work-related issues."{{cite web|title=About the ILO|url=http://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/lang--en/index.htm|website=International Labour Organization|access-date=November 6, 2015}}

The ILO Manila office has been active since its founding, starting with the ratifying of the Workman's Compensation (Accidents) Convention 17 based on Act. No. 1874 to extend responsibility of employers for personal injuries and death suffered by employees at work.{{cite book|title=ILO Conventions Ratified by the Philippine Government|date=November 1978|publisher=Institute of Labor and Manpower Studies, Ministry of Labor|location=Intramuros, Manila}}

Below are a number of the programs and projects by ILO Manila {{as of|2015|lc=on}}.{{cite web|title=Programmes and Projects|url=http://www.ilo.org/manila/projects/lang--en/index.htm|website=International Labor Organization|access-date=November 6, 2015}}

1. Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) is ILO Manila's main project. It was made to support the country's Labor Employment Program (LEP). The two major priorities are decent jobs for a competitive Philippines, and improved labor market governance. To achieve this, the ILO will help strengthen the working capacity of the Philippines and apply international labor conventions to constantly update the LEP. The United Nations Development Assistance Framework has listed the DWCP as ILO Manila's top priority.{{cite web|title=Decent Work Country Programme|url=http://www.ilo.org/manila/country/WCMS_399594/lang--en/index.htm|website=International Labour Organization|access-date=November 6, 2015}}
2. Infrastructure for Rural Productivity Enhancement Sector (INFRES) Project (June 4, 2001 – December 31, 2006) was completed to improve their living conditions, poor people require access to employment and basic goods and services. The poor can improve their situation through national and local investment in infrastructure that provides jobs.{{Cite web|last=Japan|first=Government of|date=June 4, 2001|title=Infrastructure for Rural Productivity Enhancement Sector (INFRES)|url=https://www.ilo.org/manila/projects/WCMS_124870/lang--en/index.htm|access-date=June 17, 2021|website=www.ilo.org|language=en}}
3. ILO-IPEC Project in support of the Philippine Time-Bound Programme (September 2, 2002 – August 31, 2007) was the first and most significant contribution toward the elimination of the worst forms of child labour. It has been designed to leverage resources, and to link up with national and international programs for the benefit of Filipino boys and girls.
4. Strategies and Tools Against Social Exclusion and Poverty (STEP) (January 1, 2003 – June 1, 2005) aimed to provide better quality of life to informal economy workers and their families through better access to health care. This is a donor project from the Government of Norway.
5. Protecting Domestic Workers against Forced Labour and Trafficking (DOMWORK) (May 3, 2004 – December 31, 2006) was a program on the regulation and condition of Filipino domestic workers. It aimed to empower domestic workers on their rights as well as reduce the cases of abuse.

::"Through discussions on gender equality, the ILO noted that problems had deepened for the most vulnerable, including women in domestic work. Yet while the global economic downturn has contributed to aggravating their vulnerabilities, domestic workers are beginning to realize gains through changes in public attitude."

1. [http://www.ilo.org/manila/projects/WCMS_124759/lang--en/index.htm Indigenous Peoples Development Programme] (IPDP) - to protect the rights of indigenous peoples.{{Cite web|title = Programmes and projects (CO-Manila)|url = http://www.ilo.org/manila/projects/lang--en/nextRow--40/index.htm|website = www.ilo.org|access-date = November 6, 2015}}
2. Tripartite Action for the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers in the ASEAN Region (May 1, 2012 – March 31, 2016) is an ongoing ASEAN TRIANGLE project that aims to significantly reduce the exploitation of labour migrants in the region through increased legal and safe migration and improved labour protection. This is a donor project from the Government of Canada.
3. Building the Capacity of the Philippines Labour Inspectorate (December 15, 2014 – December 14, 2017) is a collaborative project with DOLE to strengthen its Labour Law Compliance System (LLCS) by promoting a positive mindset towards work.

{{expand section|date=May 2021}}

; Tebtebba

Tebtebba is an organization that was established in 1996. They have been an active participant in processes that have led to the adoption of international human rights law and other international instruments, policies, and agreements. These include the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the establishment of spaces within the United Nations, such as the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, among others.{{Cite web|title = Who We Are|url = http://www.tebtebba.org/index.php/content/who-we-are|website = www.tebtebba.org|access-date = November 3, 2015}}

; Cordillera Peoples Alliance

The Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) was founded in 1984. Among many other projects and campaigns, CPA has pushed for regional autonomy, campaigns for the defense of land, life, and resources, opposed large-scale mining in the Cordillera to save Abra river, and exposed violations of human rights committed in their region.{{Cite web|url = http://www.cpaphils.org/campaigns/cpa%20history%20of%20campaigns.htm|title = CPA through the Years}}

; Kalipunan Ng Mga Katutubong Mamamayanng Pilipinas – KATRIBU (National Federation of Indigenous Peoples of the Philippines)

KATRIBU was founded in the year 1987. Previously known as KAMP, KATRIBU aims for the attainment of land rights and for the formation of allegiances and government of the indigenous peoples. KATRIBU is currently protesting DMCI's planned 15-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Narra, Palawan and the mining policy of the Aquino administration.{{Cite web|title = Indigenous Peoples Raise Alarm Against Aggressive Mining Policy of Aquino Government « Bulatlat|url = http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/04/11/indigenous-peoples-raise-alarm-against-aggressive-mining-policy-of-aquino-government/|website = bulatlat.com| date=April 11, 2011 |access-date = November 4, 2015}}

; Sabokahan Unity of Lumad Women

Sabokahan Unity of Lumad Women was founded in 2003. Composed of eight ethnolinguistic tribes across Southern Mindanao, Sabokahan is a grassroots organization led and created by Lumad women dedicated to the advancement of women's rights, equality, and liberation. Save Pantaron and Pulangi River Campaigns are two projects Sabokahan hold to protect biodiversity.{{Cite web|title=Sabokahan Unity of Lumad Women|url=https://www.liyangnetwork.org/about-sabokahan|access-date=April 26, 2021|archive-date=April 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429011613/https://www.liyangnetwork.org/about-sabokahan|url-status=dead}} To generate income to support themselves, Sabokahan organizes collective bead-making cooperatives among Lumad women.

; Liyang Network

Liyang Network is a local-to-global advocacy group that emerged from the calls-to-action of Sabokahan.{{Cite web|title=Liyang Network|url=https://www.liyangnetwork.org/|access-date=April 26, 2021|website=Liyang Network|language=en-US}} Before the pandemic, Liyang Network held immersion trips alongside Sabokahan in administering opportunities to educate and provide a transformative cultural experience to those who wish to engage in the history of the community directly from the voices of the Lumad people. Their current remote work entails organizing forums and webinars for educational discussions on current sociopolitical issues and the root causes of these issues—mainly the needs of Lumad and rural communities. These activities aim to address and amplify the push against human rights violations, exploitation, and discrimination, such as the militarization of communities, the closure of Indigenous schools, and illegal arrests.{{Cite web|title=Liyang Network|url=https://www.facebook.com/LiyangNetwork/|access-date=May 14, 2021|website=Facebook|language=en}}

{{Main|Human rights abuses of the Marcos dictatorship}}

{{See also|Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG)|Commission on Human Rights (Philippines)}}

On September 21, 1972, then President Ferdinand Marcos declared Martial Law in the Philippines.{{Cite web|title = Proclamation No. 1081, s. 1972 {{!}} GOVPH|url = https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1972/09/21/proclamation-no-1081/|website = Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines|access-date = November 6, 2015|archive-date = October 25, 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211025160601/https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1972/09/21/proclamation-no-1081/|url-status = dead}} Marcos gave the armed forces the power to prevent or suppress... any act of insurrection or rebellion.{{Better source needed|date=June 2020}}{{Cite web|title = TORTYUR: Human Rights Violations During The Marcos Regime|url = https://www.academia.edu/7968581|website = www.academia.edu|access-date = November 6, 2015| last1=Chua | first1=Michael Charleston B. }} A total of 398 disappearances, 1,388 extrajudicial killings, and 1,499 killed or wounded in massacres were recorded but not every victim was accounted for.

After the declaration of Martial Law, Marcos issued six general orders and an instruction to close privately owned media facilities. The Press Secretary, Francisco Tatad, and Secretary for National Defense, Juan Ponce Enrile, were ordered by Marcos "to take over and control or cause the taking over and control of all such newspapers, magazines, radio and television facilities and all other media communications..."{{Cite web|title = Letter of Instruction No. 1, s. 1972 {{!}} GOVPH|url = https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1972/09/22/letter-of-instruction-no-1-s-1972/|website = Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines|access-date = November 6, 2015|archive-date = September 28, 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220928064353/https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1972/09/22/letter-of-instruction-no-1-s-1972/|url-status = dead}} The information released to the public was highly censored and prevented journalists from releasing any suspicious information about the administration. For the dictatorship, failure to abide would lead to arrest and eventual torture and execution.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/03/06/world/4-key-communists-freed-manila-military-objects-jose-maria-sison-mission-remains.html|title=MILITARY OBJECTS; JOSE MARIA SISON: A MISSION REMAINS|date=March 6, 1986|website=The New York Times}} Lawyer and statesman Sen. Jose W. Diokno, the father of human rights, was one of those arrested. He would be released and later founded the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG), the largest group of lawyers to combat human rights abuses by the dictatorship, and it managed to deal with over 90 percent of human rights cases during martial law.{{Cite web|title=Diokno, Jose W.|url=http://www.dlsaa.com/honors-and-awards/awardees/diokno-jose-w|date=2005|access-date=October 14, 2020}}

The assassination of Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino triggered the peaceful 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution, led by Aquino's wife, Corazon "Cory" Aquino. The peaceful revolution united the nation in a call against Marcos to uphold their human rights. It led to the abolition of Martial Law (de jure abolished in 1981{{cite news|last1=Kamm|first1=Henry|title=MARCOS FREES 341; LIFTS MARTIAL LAW|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/01/18/world/marcos-frees-341-lifts-martial-law.html|work=The New York Times|date=January 18, 1981}}), the exile of the Marcos family, as well as Cory Aquino's rise to the presidency and the current 1987 Constitution. This, in turn paved the way for the creation of the Presidential Committee on Human Rights, now the Commission on Human Rights which was founded by Atty. Diokno.{{Cite web|title = Philippines – From Aquino's Assassination to People's Power|url = http://countrystudies.us/philippines/29.htm|website = countrystudies.us|access-date = November 6, 2015}}

The Arroyo Administration was riddled by its several issues on several forms of violations against human rights. Most of these which include the increase in military power and presence, especially in Muslim Mindanao. Philip Alston, a UN Rapporteur, published Promotion and Protection of all Human Rights, Civil, Political, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, including the Right To Development in 2008 that chronicled and reported the situation he had found while in the Philippines. Many incidents of extrajudicial killings were linked to this report, most notable of which is Sichi Bustamante-Gandinao, who was a direct testimony of the abuses concerning the military.

{{Excerpt|Maguindanao massacre}}

Sichi Bustamante-Gandinao was a peasant organizer in Salay, Misamis Oriental.{{Cite journal|title = State terror in the Philippines: the Alston Report, human rights and counter-insurgency under the Arroyo administration.|last = Sales|first = Peter M.|date = September 1, 2009|journal = Contemporary Politics|volume = 15|issue = 3|pages = 321–336|doi = 10.1080/13569770903118788|s2cid = 153884673}} She was the chair of the Misamis Oriental Farmers Organization and the coordinator of the party list group Bayan Muna. She was also an outspoken critic of the actions the Citizens' Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU), and how they disrupt the relatively peaceful communities in Misamis Oriental.{{Cite book|title = Human Rights and State Security: Indonesia and the Philippines|last = Jetschke|first = Anja|publisher = University of Pennsylvania Press|year = 2011|isbn = 978-0-8122-4301-7|location = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|pages = 253}} Philip Alston was a UN Rapporteur, who had Gandinao as a testimony to the extrajudicial killings, and other violations of human rights the military was practicing, whether it was the military is contested by the Military. The Alston report was published in 2008, which highlighted these abuses through the United Nations General Assembly. In March 2007, however, Gandinao, together with her husband and daughter, was walking home after a day of doing farm work. Gandinao was then shot four times by two men on a motorcycle heading towards a nearby military camp, while Gandinao's family helplessly watched the attack. The local officials and passers-by all told Gandinao's husband and daughter that they were too busy to tend to the bleeding Gandinao. According to reports, after two hours of bleeding profusely, the assailants went back to the scene of the crime and even watched the entire ordeal of Gandinao. Her husband had to carry her to the Cagayan de Oro ambulance, which took another hour to get to the actual hospital. In the Cagayan de Oro hospital, Gandinao was pronounced dead on arrival.

According to the Alston report, the presence of "vigilantism" and death squad in Davao has been a commonplace occurrence, and has been going on for some time now, prior to his visit in the Philippines from 2006 to 2007.{{Cite journal|url = http://www.refworld.org/docid/484d2b2f2.html|title = PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF ALL HUMAN RIGHTS, CIVIL, POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO DEVELOPMENT|last = Alston|first = Philip|date = April 16, 2008|journal = United Nations General Assembly|access-date = November 6, 2015}} The Death Squad, however, operate with no intention of hiding their identities, and in broad daylight. Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has held office, aside from a brief stint as a congressman, since 1988. Rodrigo Duterte is known for his strict, anti-criminal approach in governing Davao City.Go, J. R. R. (2014). Political Leadership and Education Governance at the Municipal Level. However, in the same report, Rodrigo Duterte has admitted that hundreds of unsolved murders were committed during his time as mayor, and that he takes "full responsibility" for the fact that the murders have remained unsolved. When Duterte was first elected as mayor, he faced a Davao with problems like rampant youth gangs, the New Peoples' Army (NPA) killing policemen routinely, and crime. The Davao Death Squad (DDS) has had over 500 victims since 1998; killing targets in public and in broad daylight. These executions were a response to petty crimes, and targets are sent warnings explaining why they are targeted by the DDS. It was, however, noted that during Duterte's term as mayor, criminal activity has decreased significantly. It should also be noted, however, that there are hundreds of unsolved murders.

In 2016, the Philippines was ranked the world's 4th most dangerous country for journalists, "where journalists are murdered and their killers go unpunished", according to data from the Committee to Protect Journalists.{{Cite web |last=Domínguez |first=Gabriel |date=February 11, 2016 |title=The 'deadliest region for journalists' – DW – 02/11/2016 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/ifj-asia-pacific-is-worlds-deadliest-region-for-journalists/a-19042308 |access-date=June 4, 2023 |website=DW |language=en}} According to Human Rights Watch, almost 300 leftists activist, human rights workers, and people alleged to be supporters of the New People's Army were killed from 2010 to 2016.{{Citation |last=Human Rights Watch |title=Philippines: Events of 2015 |date=October 20, 2016 |url=https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2016/country-chapters/philippines |work=English |access-date=June 4, 2023 |language=en}}

Information about disappearances and murders of reporters are kept from the public, making several agencies/organizations as well as whistleblowers at risk of exposure to harm. Some of the journalists killed in their line of work during the Aquino government were Gerry Ortega, Christopher Guarin, and Rubylita Garcia.{{Cite web|title=Rubylita Garcia|url=https://cpj.org/data/people/rubylita-garcia/|access-date=October 13, 2020|website=Committee to Protect Journalists|language=en-US}}

The Aquino administration implemented reforms towards more effective criminal investigation procedures, in addition to passing laws to better uphold human rights. However, these reforms are underdeveloped. An example is the formation of the [https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2012/11/22/administrative-order-no-35-s-2012/ Inter-Agency Committee on Extra-Legal Killings], which encountered problems in identifying which case to pursue due to the process requirements.{{Cn|date=September 2021}}

On June 15, 2020, Maria Ressa, the founder and executive editor of the news website Rappler, and Reynaldo Santos Jr. researcher at Rappler were sentenced with a minimum of six months and one day and a maximum of six years’ imprisonment and fine of USD4,000 for moral damages and USD4,000 for exemplary damages. They were critics of President Rodrigo Duterte who reported on the Philippine drug war that killed more than 12,000 Filipinos. Human Rights Watch found in an investigation that the police are falsifying evidence to justify the illegal killing of civilians.{{cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/06/15/philippines-rappler-verdict-blow-media-freedom|title=Philippines: Rappler Verdict a Blow to Media Freedom|access-date=June 15, 2020|website=Human Rights Watch|date=June 15, 2020 }}

On June 26, 2020, Philippines police arrested around 20 people at an LGBT pride event. They were protesting against an anti-terrorism bill, which will eliminate legal protection and police can detain groups and individuals without any warrant under the label of terrorism. The arrest took place without any explanation from the police force. Human Rights Watch urged authorities to release those detained and allow them to exercise their fundamental right to protest peacefully.{{cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/06/29/philippines-police-crack-down-lgbt-protest|title=Philippines Police Crack Down on LGBT Protest|access-date=June 29, 2020|website=Human Rights Watch|date=June 29, 2020 }}

On July 3, 2020, Amnesty International criticized the controversial Anti-Terrorism Act, signed by President Rodrigo Duterte, and said that the new law is the latest example of the country's ever-worsening human rights record.{{cite web|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/07/philippines-dangerous-antiterror-law-yet-another-setback-for-human-rights/|title=Philippines: Dangerous anti-terror law yet another setback for human rights|access-date=July 3, 2020|website=Amnesty International|date=July 3, 2020 }}

On March 21, 2021, woman human rights defender Renalyn Tejero was arbitrarily arrested by officials of the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Army in Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental. She was subsequently falsely accused and her request to call her family and lawyer was also denied. Prior to her arrest, Tejero had been a victim of red-tagging, a stigmatization practice used by the authorities to target as "terrorists" or "communists" any individuals or groups perceived to be critical of the government.{{cite web|url=https://www.fidh.org/en/region/asia/philippines/philippines-release-woman-human-rights-defender-renalyn-tejero|title=Philippines: Release woman human rights defender Renalyn Tejero|accessdate=March 21, 2022|website=FIDH}}

With the vigilante killings becoming rampant, the Citizen's Council for Human Rights (CCHR) asked President Duterte to initiate measures to stop the surge of extrajudicial killings.{{Cite web|url=http://interaksyon.com/article/130413/human-rights-defenders-to-duterte-stop-bloodshed-of-suspected-criminals-drug-offenders|title=Human rights defenders to Duterte: Stop bloodshed of suspected criminals, drug offenders|date=July 16, 2016|website=InterAksyon|access-date=July 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160717160756/https://www.interaksyon.com/article/130413/human-rights-defenders-to-duterte-stop-bloodshed-of-suspected-criminals-drug-offenders|archive-date=July 17, 2016}}

The killing of Larry Que on December 20, 2016, was the first recorded media-related killing under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. Shortly before becoming president Duterte said, "Just because you're a journalist you are not exempted from assassination, if you're a son of a bitch. Freedom of expression cannot help you if you have done something wrong."{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/22/asia/journalist-killed-philippines/index.html|title=Publisher slain in Philippines after criticizing officials over drugs|first1=Vivian|last1=Kam |first2=Elizabeth|last2=Roberts|date=December 22, 2016 |publisher=CNN|access-date=April 3, 2017}} Recognizing the danger to journalists, the president established the Presidential Task Force on Violations of the Right to Life, Liberty and Security of the Members of the Media in October 2016.{{cite web |title=Administrative Order No. 1, s. 2016 |url=http://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2016/10oct/20161011-AO-1-RRD.pdf |website=Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines |access-date=August 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828151822/http://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2016/10oct/20161011-AO-1-RRD.pdf |archive-date=August 28, 2017 |date=October 11, 2016}}

On August 21, 2020, the United Nations raised concerns with the Philippine government over the killing of peace consultant Randall "Randy" Echanis and human rights defender Zara Alvarez. The UN Human Rights Office described the situation as alarming since the two victims were previously tagged as terrorists because of their work, and called for transparent investigations.{{cite web|url=https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/8/21/united-nations-randy-echanis-zara-alvarez.html|title=UN rights body asks PH gov't for 'independent, transparent' probe on activist killings|access-date=August 21, 2020|website=CNN Philippines|archive-date=August 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822224409/https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/8/21/united-nations-randy-echanis-zara-alvarez.html|url-status=dead}}

On August 24, 2020, Human Rights Watch revealed that employees of Karapatan, a human rights organization in Philippines had received death threats. The threats came a week after unidentified gunmen shot dead Zara Alvarez, a paralegal worker for the group, in Bacolod City in the central Philippines on August 17. Karapatan has been alleged to be a particular target of Philippine security forces and their agents.{{cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/08/25/philippine-rights-group-under-attack |title= Philippine Rights Group Under Attack |access-date=August 24, 2020 |website= Human Rights Watch|date= August 24, 2020 }}

The International Criminal Court is investigating extrajudicial killings in the Philippines and looking into the alleged involvement of President Duterte.{{Cite web |date=February 13, 2023 |title=Philippines: Next Steps for ICC Probe of Duterte-Era Killings |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/02/13/philippines-next-steps-icc-probe-duterte-era-killings |access-date=February 17, 2023 |website=Human Rights Watch |language=en}} The Supreme Court of the Philippines has ruled that the country has an obligation to cooperate in proceedings conducted by the International Criminal Court.{{Cite web |last=Buan |first=Lian |date=July 21, 2021 |title=Supreme Court: Philippines obliged to cooperate with ICC |url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/supreme-court-decision-philippine-government-cooperate-international-criminal-court/ |access-date=August 2, 2023 |website=Rappler |language=en-US}}

{{Excerpt|New Bataan massacre}}

President Bongbong Marcos promised to uphold human rights during his term.{{Cite web |date=June 28, 2023 |title=Philippines: Marcos Failing on Rights |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/06/28/philippines-marcos-failing-rights |access-date=August 2, 2023 |website=Human Rights Watch |language=en}} The Philippines stated in 2022 that it was committed to cooperate with United Nations human rights mechanisms. The United Nations noted the failure of law enforcement to address human rights violations and recommended that the Philippines review all killings in the government's drug war.{{Cite web |title=The Philippines: UN human rights report looks to new administration for progress on accountability and reforms |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2022/09/philippines-un-human-rights-report-looks-new-administration-progress |access-date=August 2, 2023 |website=OHCHR |language=en}}

Drug war killings, attacks on activists, harassment of media, and red-tagging have continued. During the first year of Bongbong Marcos's term, there were 336 drug war killings, mostly during police operations, and 8 cases of forced disappearances.{{Cite web |last=Alimario |first=Anjo |date=August 28, 2023 |title=Families of desaparecidos demand justice |url=https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/8/28/families-of-desaparecidos-demand-justice.html |access-date=September 6, 2023 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=September 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906000730/https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/8/28/families-of-desaparecidos-demand-justice.html |url-status=dead }}

The Philippines is a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) drafted by the United Nations (UN) in the 1948.{{Cite web|title=The Universal Declaration of Human Rights |url=https://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/history.shtml |website=www.un.org |accessdate=November 2, 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140708030052/http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/history.shtml |archivedate=July 8, 2014 }} The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted, alongside the Genocide Convention and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, by the United Nations in response to the tragic and horrendous violations of human rights during the Second World War.{{Cite book|title = Human Rights: Concepts and Standards|last = Buergenthal|first = Thomas|publisher = Dartmouth Publishing Company Limited|year = 2000|isbn = 0-7546-2023-9|location = England|pages = [https://archive.org/details/humanrightsconce0000unse/page/10 10, 11]|editor-last = Symonides|editor-first = Janusz|url = https://archive.org/details/humanrightsconce0000unse/page/10}} The United Nations Charter, a treaty, was created in order to define what roles, powers, and duties the United Nations is allowed to practice in dealing with international relations. Article I of the UN Charter states that the UN aims:

"To achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion;"{{Cite web|title = Chapter I {{!}} United Nations|url = https://www.un.org/en/sections/un-charter/chapter-i/index.html|website = www.un.org|accessdate = November 2, 2015}}

House Bill No. 10576, also known as the Human Rights Defenders Protection Act, was passed by the Philippine House of Representatives in 2022. In the Senate, Senators Leila de Lima and Risa Hontiveros filed Senate Bill No. 179. The bill has been pending in the committee level since 2019.{{Cite web |last=Gavilan |first=Jodesz |date=January 17, 2022 |title=House passes bill protecting human rights defenders |url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/house-passes-bill-protecting-human-rights-defenders-threats-violence-under-duterte/ |access-date=June 3, 2023 |website=Rappler |language=en-US}}

Human rights advocates from the Philippines and the international community have called on Philippine lawmakers to pass the measure to protect human rights workers in the country. United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders Mary Lawlor supported the proposed law, citing the need to comply with global treaties and standards and expressing concern over the red-tagging, judicial harassment, and killings of human rights workers in the country.{{Cite web |last=Umil |first=Anne Marxze |date=March 28, 2023 |title=UN expert urges the passage of bill protecting Filipino human rights defenders |url=https://www.bulatlat.com/2023/03/28/un-expert-urges-the-passage-of-bill-protecting-filipino-human-rights-defenders/ |access-date=June 3, 2023 |website=Bulatlat |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |date=March 25, 2023 |title=UN expert urges passage of law protecting human rights advocates |work=ABS-CBN News |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/25/23/un-expert-urges-law-protecting-human-rights-advocates |access-date=June 3, 2023}}

In the House of Representatives, Representative Lagman filed House Bill 77, while the Makabayan bloc (which includes Kabataan Representative Raoul Manuel, ACT Teachers Representative France Castro, and Gabriela Representative Arlene Brosas) filed House Bills 256 and 2484.{{Cite web |date=2024-04-12 |title=Human Rights Defenders Protection (HRDP) Bill Salient Points |url=https://www.amnesty.org.ph/2024/04/hrdp-bill-salient-points/ |access-date=2025-06-14 |website=Amnesty Philippines |language=en-US}} The proposed laws sought to protect the rights and freedoms of human rights workers.

The Philippines, through the Commission of Human Rights, the Bangsamoro Human Rights Commission, and other human rights organizations, commemorates International Human Rights Day on December 10 every year.{{Cite web |date=2019-12-10 |title=Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on the celebration of International Human Rights Day |url=https://chr.gov.ph/statement-of-the-commission-on-human-rights-on-the-celebration-of-international-human-rights-day/ |access-date=2023-12-01 |website=Commission on Human Rights |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Lao |first=Waya |date=2023-11-30 |title=LIST: 2023 International Human Rights Day events, activities |url=https://www.rappler.com/philippines/list-events-activities-philippines-international-human-rights-november-2023/ |access-date=2023-12-01 |website=Rappler |language=en-US}}

Philippine human rights groups and relatives of the disappeared observe the International Day of the Disappeared every year on August 30.

• Extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances in the Philippines
• Ladlad
• LGBT rights in the Philippines
• Women's rights in the Philippines
• Security sector governance and reform in the Philippines

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite journal |last1=Quimpo |first1=Nathan Gilbert |title=The Use of Human Rights for the Protraction of War |journal=Kasarinlan: Philippine Journal of Third World Studies |date=2006 |volume=21 |issue=1 |pages=35 |url=https://journals.upd.edu.ph/index.php/kasarinlan/article/download/417/383 |access-date=October 4, 2023 |publisher=University of the Philippines Diliman |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151025162454/https://journals.upd.edu.ph/index.php/kasarinlan/article/download/417/383 |archive-date=October 25, 2015}}

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Philippines