Human rights go beyond issues concerning alleged cases of extrajudicial killings. These can also pertain to other liberties, such as right to food; right to education; right to social security; right to free speech; right to privacy; right to a healthy environment; and right to due process among others—areas covered by other human rights organisations.

Criticising the government for its gaps in protecting and promoting the human rights does not make human groups enemies of the state. This blanket accusation disregards the fact that it is government’s obligation to uphold the human rights of everyone. As such, demanding greater accountability from the government should not be construed as acts to destabilise the administration, but rather as as reminder of its sworn duty to the people.

To this end, we urge the government to foster conditions for collaboration rather than creating an unnecessary divide. Such statements unfairly discredits the work of human rights organisations, who in their own ways also have the interest of all Filipinos in mind, especially the vulnerable and marginalised.