Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on the Celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Month
Every thread holds a story of strength, a vision of harmony, and a promise of a future that we must all weave together. This October, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) joins the nation in marking National Indigenous Peoples Month with the theme “Weaving Culture, Enriching Future: Empowering Indigenous Communities as Bedrock of Sustainable Development.” […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on the observance of National Indigenous Peoples Day
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) joins the nation and the global community in the observance of the National Indigenous Peoples Day on 9 August 2025 in solidarity with the continuing struggle and aspirations of Indigenous Peoples across the Philippines. This year’s global theme, “Indigenous Peoples and AI: Defending Rights, Shaping Futures,” highlights both the […]
CHR stresses need to uphold IPRA and NCIP autonomy
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expresses concern over House Bill No. 9608, which seeks to amend the Indigenous People’s Rights Act (the IPRA) by reorganizing the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (the NCIP). If enacted into law, the bill would transfer the NCIP’s Ancestral Domains Office to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights denouncing the killings of a municipal councilor and an IP leader in Maguindanao del Sur
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) denounces the separate killings of Mohammad Usman Alamada and Elvin Moires on 15 September 2024. As the country’s national human rights institution, the Commission has initiated an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding these tragic incidents. According to police reports, Alamada, a municipal councilor of Buluan City, was shot […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on the alleged unjust abduction of three IP advocates in Oriental Mindoro
Pursuant of our Constitutional mandate and other relevant laws, such as the Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in Region IV-B has deployed a team to conduct an independent investigation on the alleged unjust abduction of three indigenous people’s rights (IP) advocates, namely Alia Encela, 19; Job Abednego David, 29; […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights regarding the efforts of the Department of Social Welfare and Development to defend Indigenous Peoples against human trafficking and exploitation
Indigenous cultural communities (ICCs) or indigenous peoples (IPs) remain one of the most vulnerable sectors of Filipino society. At the height of the pandemic, quarantine restrictions hindered their livelihood activities and further exposed them to entities that exploit the IPs’ vulnerable state by threatening their security and infringing upon their rights to ancestral domain. Even […]
CHR Report: Situation of Indigenous Women and Girls during the COVID-19 Pandemic
The Magna Carta of Women identifies indigenous women and girls as one of the sectors of women whose rights need to be protected, promoted, and upheld. Crucial as well in the fulfillment of their fundamental freedoms is the elimination of discrimination against them. However, when COVID-19 lockdowns were implemented across the country, many within their […]
Statement of CHR Executive Director, Atty Jacqueline Ann de Guia, on the alleged abduction of an IP rights activist in Tabuk City, Kalinga
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) decries the alleged abduction of 63-year-old Stephen “Steve” Tauli, a member of the regional council of the Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) and an active advocate of indigenous people’s (IP) rights. Tauli was reported abducted near the CPA Kalinga office at Ag-a Road, Appas, Tabuk City on the evening of […]
Statement of CHR Commissioner, Gwendolyn Ll. Pimentel-Gana, Focal Commission on Indigenous People’s Rights, on the National Indigenous Peoples Month and 24th IPRA commemoration
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) joins the entire Filipino nation in commemoration of the National Indigenous Peoples Month and the 24th year anniversary of the signing of the Indigenous People’s Rights Act (IPRA). The Indigenous People’s (IP) month is celebrated annually on October by virtue of Proclamation No. 1906, s. 2009 which commemorates the […]
Statement of CHR Spokesperson, Atty Jacqueline Ann de Guia, on the alleged military killing of three Lumad in Lianga, Surigao del Sur
The Commission Human Rights (CHR) denounces the killing of three members of the Lumad-Manobo tribe, including a 12-year-old student, in Lianga, Surigao del Sur. Our CHR Regional Office in Caraga will dispatch an investigation team to look into the violent death of these indigenous peoples allegedly perpetrated by the military. Under the international humanitarian law […]
Statement of CHR Spokesperson, Atty Jacqueline Ann de Guia, on the NCIP investigation of ancestral land selling in Davao Region
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) fully supports programs of the government that push for improving the lives of communities while providing access to justice when there are human rights violations committed. The CHR welcomes the action of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) in Davao Region as they are already building up cases […]
Statement of CHR spokesperson, Atty Jacqueline Ann de Guia, on the recent threat to sue a reporter over a report on an alleged torture of Aetas
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) continues to note and express concern over the ongoing threats to the country’s civic space, particularly the recent red tagging and threat to sue journalist Tetch Torres-Tupas over a report on an alleged torture of Aetas who were said to be members of the New People’s Army and a […]