Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on reports of red-tagging and sexist remarks amid the #Eleksyon2025 campaign season
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expresses grave concern over the rising number of electoral offenses, particularly incidents of red-tagging and a recent case involving a Congressional candidate making sexist remarks during a campaign event. The CHR notes with alarm that cases of alleged red-tagging have now involved the use of deepfakes to spread disinformation, […]
CHR concludes final leg of Public Inquiry on Red-Tagging with participation of key government actors
To cap off its fact-finding efforts on acts that may constitute red-tagging, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) held the final session of its Public Inquiry on Red-Tagging on 24 March 2025. This last leg brought together key officials from the Philippine government to inform the Commission’s assessment of the practices and patterns associated with […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on the court victory of journalist Atom Araullo vs red-taggers
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) welcomes the recent decision of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 306, which ruled in favor of journalist Atom Araullo in his civil suit against SMNI hosts Lorraine Badoy and Jeffrey Celiz, who accused him of being associated with communist terrorist ideologies in their talk show. In […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights condemning enforced disappearances and surveillance of CSO members by state agents following public inquiry on red-tagging
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) condemns the continued incidents of enforced disappearances, harassment, and unwarranted surveillance of civil society members by state forces in the Philippines. Following the recent Public Inquiry on Red-Tagging conducted by CHR, we are deeply concerned by allegations that state agents have intensified targeting of civil society organizations, posing grave […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on the alleged disappearance of an environmental defender in Lucena
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has taken cognisance of the reported disappearance of Rowena “Owen” Dasig, an environmental defender from Calabarzon, whose charges had been recently dismissed by the Gumaca Regional Trial Court Branch 172 on 13 August 2024. As of writing, there have been no updates on the whereabouts of Dasig after she […]
CHR launches Public Inquiry on Red-Tagging, seeks to collaborate with various stakeholders to develop recommendations, initiatives to strengthen human rights protection in PH
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is slated to launch a Public Inquiry on 29 to 30 July 2024, as part of its conscious effort to determine the acts and practices that constitute red-tagging, understand the perspectives of all relevant stakeholders, and formulate recommendations to develop mechanisms aimed at preventing further human rights violations and […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights expressing concern over the reported distribution of ‘red-tagging’ pamphlets at a seminar in Rizal
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expresses deep concern over the alleged distribution of red-tagging pamphlets by the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at a seminar held at Taytay Senior High School. According to a report, the Kabataan party-list mentioned the 80th Infantry Battalion (IB) as the one involved in the […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights lauding the Supreme Court decision on red-tagging as a threat to the right to life, liberty, and security
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) welcomes the decision of the Supreme Court (SC) declaring “red-tagging, vilification, labelling, and guilt by association threaten one’s right to life, liberty, or security”. The said decision also identifies the issuance of a writ of amparo as a direct remedy to address the threats being caused by these acts, […]
Statement of Commission on Human Rights on the repeated incidences of red-tagging against educators and teacher organisations
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has consistently condemned the carte blanche act of red-tagging[1][2], especially when coming from elected government officials. As the country’s independent national human rights institution, CHR cannot stand idly by amid the persistent red-tagging of students, educators, and civil organisations in the country. We have stressed, time and again, that […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights welcoming the draft DepEd curriculum citing red-tagging and EJKs as human rights violations
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) welcomes the recent move by the Department of Education (DepEd) to recognise ‘red-tagging, trolling, and extrajudicial killings (EJKs)’ as examples of serious human rights violations in its draft curriculum for Araling Panlipunan in basic education. As the country’s independent national human rights institution, CHR has long denounced the act […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on the red-tagging of an LGBTQI leader on SMNI news program
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expresses deep concern on the red-tagging of Irish Inoceto, the chairperson of the Iloilo Pride Team, by anchors Jeffrey “Ka Eric” Celiz and Dr. Lorraine Marie Badoy, on the SMNI program “Laban kasama ang Bayan” aired on 24 October 2022. In the said program, the anchors claimed that Inoceto […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights in support of the Supreme Court’s move to protect members of the judiciary
Judges and lawyers are important actors in the effective dispensation of justice. To threaten judges and lawyers is to threaten the rule of law and the protection of human rights. The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) supports the recent action of the Supreme Court denouncing those who “incite violence through social media and other means […]
Statement of CHR Executive Director, Atty Jacqueline Ann de Guia, on the arrest of environmental defender in Laguna
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR), through its Regional Office in Region IV-A, is already conducting a motu propio investigation into the arrest of environmental defender and activist Daisy Macapanpan on Saturday, 11 June 2022 in Pakil town, Laguna. According to reports, she was arrested after delivering a speech protesting the construction of the Ahunan […]
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 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 the Commission on Human Rights welcoming the dismissal of the case of Dr. Natividad ‘Naty’ Castro
The Commission on Human Rights has since expressed concern on the manner by which Dr. Natividad ‘Naty’ Castro was arrested in February 2022 over charges of alleged kidnapping and serious illegal detention. CHR noted that it was only after significant media coverage, national attention, and messages of support from members of the public did the […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on the arrest of health worker Dr. Natividad ‘Naty’ Castro
With adherence to the principle of independence, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has consistently spoken out against abuses whether perpetrated by those in differing ideological spheres or those serving in government. It is a job that often places the CHR in conflict those being investigated. CHR as part of government shall continue to protect […]
Statement of CHR Spokesperson, Atty. Jacqueline Ann de Guia, on the community pantry initiative and profiling of its volunteers
The ‘community pantry’ of essential goods, which first emerged in Maginhawa Street, Quezon City with the purpose of aiding the community and fostering a shared mutual concern for one another, is a great initiative at a time when Filipinos need it the most. It is thus concerning that this initiative, as well as the other […]
Statement of CHR Spokesperson, Atty Jacqueline Ann de Guia, on the red-tagging of a Mandaluyong City judge
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is deeply concerned over the posting of a tarpaulin along EDSA that red-tags Mandaluyong Regional Trial Court Branch 209 Judge Monique Quisumbing-Ignacio. This came after she cleared journalist Lady Ann “Icy” Salem and trade unionist Rodrigo Esparago of charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives. In the wake […]
Statement of CHR spokesperson, Atty Jacqueline Ann de Guia, on the erroneous list published by the Armed Forces of the Philippines naming alleged UP alumni who ‘joined’ the New People’s Army
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) notes the recognition made by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana of the wrong done, as well as the subsequent apology by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), for publishing an unverified list of alleged UP alumni who were erroneously named as members of the New People’s Army who died […]
Statement of CHR spokesperson, Atty Jacqueline Ann de Guia, on the killing of Zara Alvarez
The killing of Zara Alvarez is another addition to the alarming string of attacks against human rights workers and advocates in the country. The Commission on Human Rights sees this as a cause for concern, especially that the number of cases is still growing and justice is nowhere in sight. Reports about Alvarez note that […]