CHR leads ‘Women in Media’ Forum, advocates women journalists’ welfare on International Women Human Rights Defenders Day
Women journalists stand as human rights defenders whose work safeguards truth and upholds the democratic fabric of our society. Anchored on this recognition, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), in its role as the country’s Gender Ombud, spearheaded the “Women Journalists as Women Human Rights Defenders” forum on 28 November 2025, underscoring the Commission’s sustained […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on the case of the resurfaced urban poor organizer in Batangas
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has launched a Quick Response Operation (QRO) into the case of Pauline Joy Banjawan, an urban poor organizer found in police custody after being reported missing for two days in Batangas. According to reports, Banjawan was located at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Santo Tomas station around 9:00 PM […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on the alleged abduction of environmental rights defenders in San Carlos, Pangasinan
The Commission on Human RIghts is gravely alarmed upon receiving reports on the abduction of environmental rights defenders and church workers Francisco “Eco” Dangla III, 39 and Axielle “Jak” Tiong, 29 on 24 March 2024 at Barangay Polo, San Carlos, Pangasinan. Pursuant to its mandate, CHR has prompted an investigation to immediately look into the […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on the case of the resurfaced missing environmental activists
Acting on news reports and in pursuance of our Constitutional mandate, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), through the joint effort of CHR Central Office Protection Cluster and CHR Region III, prompted an independent investigation on the alleged enforced disappearance and arbitrary deprivation of liberty of two environmental defenders, Jonila Castro, 21, and Jhed Tamano, […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on the alleged surveillance and profiling of officers of Gabriela and Makabayan bloc by the soldiers of the AFP Joint Task Force – NCR
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in the National Capital Region (NCR) is doing its independent probe on the recent cases of alleged surveillance and profiling by the Armed Forces of the Philippines Joint Task Force – NCR in Barangay 105 in Tondo, Manila. On 13 March 2023, Renerose Bihag, Secretary General of Gabriela, filed […]
CHR lauds Isabela City, Basilan for enacting the pioneer ordinance on Human Rights Defenders’ Protection
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) commends the City Government of Isabela in Basilan province for enacting Ordinance number 22-717, the first Human Rights Defenders’ Protection (HRDP) Ordinance in the country. This ordinance manifests the city government’s recognition of its legal and moral obligation to ensure the protection of human rights defenders who play a […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on the opposition against the bill protecting human rights defenders
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) reiterates it support for the enactment of the Human Rights Defenders Act in view of the increasing reports of serious risks and dangers faced by human rights defenders, as well as the prevalence of impunity for violations and abuses against them. The past years have been a testament to […]
Statement of CHR Executive Director, Atty Jacqueline Ann de Guia, on the attempt against the life of the provincial director of the Bangsamoro Human Rights Commission
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) vehemently condemns the shooting and attempt against the life of Atty. Ariff A. Lao, Provincial Director of the Bangsamoro Human Rights Commission (BHRC). According to the BHRC, an unidentified assailant shot the driver’s side of Atty. Lao’s vehicle that was parked along Sinsuat Avenue in Cotabato City on 6 […]
Statement of CHR Executive Director, Atty. Jacqueline de Guia, on the statement of the incoming National Security Adviser against red tagging
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) welcomes the statement of incoming National Security Adviser, Dr. Clarita Carlos, urging the end of the practice of red-tagging, also known as red-baiting, especially those from government agencies and its representatives. In its Report on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders in the Philippines (2020, ), CHR, citing former […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights welcoming the government’s confidence in the CHR’s competence to conduct an independent probe
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) welcomes the government’s expression of confidence in the CHR’s competence to conduct an independent investigation and act accordingly on our findings. In particular, we note the remarks of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana requesting the involvement of the CHR in verifying the report of the US State Department regarding alleged […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on the attempt to trivialize and justify the dangers of red-tagging
The prevalence of red-tagging in recent years has resulted in attacks against the lives, liberty, and security of groups and organisations, especially those working in defence of the rights of vulnerable and marginalised sectors. Those at the receiving end of red-tagging are usually those vocal critics of the government; thereby, making it easy to label […]
Statement of CHR spokesperson, Atty. Jacqueline de Guia, calling for the urgent passage of the bill that seeks to protect human rights defenders
The Commission on Human Rights joins the clamor to prioritize the passage of the Human Rights Defenders (HRD) Protection Bill or House Bill No. 9199. The bill’s enactment into law should be a high priority considering the unceasing attacks, threats, and the general climate of hostility faced by human rights defenders and advocates. We echo […]