Statement of CHR Spokesperson, Atty Jacqueline Ann de Guia, on the 23rd Anniversary of the passage of the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act
Today, 29 October 2020, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expresses solidarity with the indigenous communities in the Philippines as the country commemorates the 23rd anniversary of the passage of the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA) and the National Indigenous Peoples Month in October. In 1997, the enactment of IPRA made the Philippines the first […]
Press Statement of CHR Spokesperson, Atty Jacqueline Ann de Guia, on the Allegations of the Maltreatment of Aetas by the Philippine Army’s 7th Infantry Division
The Commission on Human Rights is concerned by the recent allegations made against the Philippine Army’s 7th Infantry Division (7ID) on the cruel and degrading treatment of some members of the aeta community in San Marcelino, Zambales. Reports alleged that arrested individuals, in an encounter on Friday, 21 August, whom were suspected to be members […]
Statement of Commissioner Gwen Pimentel-Gana on the occasion of the National Indigenous Peoples Day
This year, the county and world are celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day with the theme “COVID-19 and Indigenous Peoples Resilience.” There is much reason to celebrate the resilience of indigenous peoples (IPs) while not forgetting the pressing challenges they face. IPs living in their communities have remained resilient since time immemorial. For centuries, they have employed […]
Statement of CHR Spokesperson, Atty Jacqueline Ann de Guia, on the celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day
The Commission on Human Rights joins in solidarity with the indigenous communities in the Philippines in amplifying the call to respect and protect indigenous peoples’ rights, especially now that the we are facing a global pandemic. In 2015, the Philippines marked 09 August as the celebration of the “National Indigenous Peoples Day” after adopting the […]
Statement of CHR Spokesperson, Atty. Jacqueline Ann de Guia, on the violent dispersal of indigenous peoples’ barricade in Didipio, Nueva Vizcaya
Yesterday, 06 April 2020, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) received a report that more than a hundred police officers escorted three diesel tankers of OceanaGold Philippines Inc (OGPI) and forcibly entered the premises of Brgy. Didipio in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya. The incident led to a violent police dispersal of the people’s barricade, injuring several […]
Statement of CHR spokesperson, Atty. Jacqueline Ann de Guia, on the recent attack against Indigenous Community in Davao Del Norte
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is alarmed by the recent attack against an indigenous community in Kapalong, Davao Del Norte by alleged members of the New People’s Army. The said assault occurred early Tuesday morning, 24 March 2020, in the remote village of Sitio Tapayanon, Barangay Gupitan of the said town. The Commission denounces […]
Statement of CHR Spokesperson, Atty. Jacqueline Ann C. de Guia, on COVID-19 relief for indigenous peoples and minority groups
The Commission on Human Rights emphasises that in national health emergencies like the Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), government responses should leave no one behind, including our indigenous communities and other minority groups. Indigenous communities around the world face serious threats from the coronavirus pandemic because of their unique health vulnerability, the lack of access to adequate […]
CHR, int’l organizations call for protection of indigenous peoples rights in renewable energy investments
On 28-30 October 2019, the Commission on Human Rights co-organized an international conference on human rights at Subic Bay Freeport Zone, together with the Forest Peoples Programme, Philippine Association for Inter-cultural Development, and Tebtebba. The event was attended by representatives from indigenous peoples organizations, national human rights institutions (NHRIs), academe, business and civil society organizations […]
Statement of CHR Spokesperson, Atty Jacqueline Ann de Guia, on the construction of Kaliwa Dam project
The Commission on Human Rights cautions the government to be mindful of its State obligation in implementing development projects such as the construction of Kaliwa Dam in areas covering ancestral domains of indigenous peoples in Rizal and Quezon provinces. While we recognise that there is a legitimate concern on water security in Metro Manila, this […]
Statement of Commission on Human Rights Commissioner Gwendolyn Pimentel-Gana on the continued closure of Lumad schools
The Commission on Human Rights reiterates its concern over the continued closure of Lumad schools in the Davao region. It is part of the government’s responsibility to make sure that these children, who are also indigenous people (IP), are able to properly exercise their right to education. As is stated in Republic Act No. 11188, […]
Statement of CHR spokesperson, Atty. Jacqueline Ann de Guia, on the suspension of operation of Lumad schools
The recent suspension of operation ordered by the Department of Education (DepEd) against 55 Lumad schools in the Davao region causes concern to the Commission on Human Rights as it affects children, who are also indigenous peoples (IP), recognised as part of the country’s most vulnerable sectors. While we recognise the need to address security […]
Statement of CHR spokesperson, Atty Jacqueline Ann de Guia, on the proposal to hamlet indigenous peoples as protection against communist rebels
The government is well within its obligation to protect the welfare of its people. However, hamletting as an approach to public safety may result to a number of human rights violations due to the enforced displacement of communities and individuals. Such proposal challenges the people’s constitutional right to liberty and property among others and will […]