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 on 27 April 2025. Prior to her disappearance, she had reported being followed by suspicious individuals while engaging with an urban poor community in Batangas’ Third District. Her communication with her group was abruptly cut off, sparking concerns.

According to fact-finding efforts of relatives and paralegals, Banjawan was allegedly abducted by members of the 59th Infantry Battalion of the Armed Forces of the Philippines before being turned over to the police. She now faces charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives and was reportedly subjected to physical and psychological torture.

Notably, the political party with which Banjawan is affiliated has faced repeated incidents of red-tagging and persistent harassment. This incident manifests the grave consequences of red-tagging, which exposes an individual or a group to threats to their life, liberty, and security. Beyond personal harm, it strikes at the very core of human rights, creating a pervasive climate of fear and weakening democratic spaces.

With #Eleksyon2025 fast approaching, the Philippines cannot afford an environment where candidates and voters fear for their political decisions simply due to baseless allegations linking them to certain movements. This undermines every Filipino’s right to participate freely in the electoral process and the integrity of democratic institutions.

The Commission reminds the public and law enforcement authorities that such acts are considered grave human rights violations under Republic Act No. 10353, or the Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act of 2012. In line with its protection mandate, the CHR investigates all reported cases of arbitrary or unlawful deprivation of liberty, including illegal arrest, detention, and abduction.

In protecting the rights of every Filipino, the Commission reaffirms the vital importance of a healthy democracy where citizens can freely express their views, advocate for their causes, and participate in political affairs without fear. ###