Philippines: Civil society demands accountability for the Negros 19 killings as targeting of activists and journalists persist

Download Philippines: Civil society demands accountability for the Negros 19 killings as targeting of activists and journalists persist DATE POSTED: 24.07.2026 Activists and families of the victims of the Negros 19 at the University of the Philippines, June 2026 (Photo Credit: Charles Perez/NurPhoto via Getty Images) The state of civic space in the Philippines is rated as ‘repressed’ by the CIVICUS Monitor. Concerns documented in recent years include the arrest and detention of activists, often on fabricated charges. Human rights defenders have also been ‘red-tagged’, putting them at risk of arrest or even being killed. Civil society has also documented the harassment and attacks against journalists.The impeachment trial of the Philippines’ popular vice-president Sara Duterte started in early July 2026, in a case that will determine whether she can run for the top job in 2028. She is accused of misusing public funds and threatening to have President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assassinated. If convicted, she will be removed as vice-president and barred from running in any upcoming elections.On 23rd April 2026, three pretrial judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) unanimously found substantial grounds to believe that former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte committed the crimes against humanity of murder and attempted murder when he was mayor of Davao City and then president, in the context of the “war on drugs” campaign between November 2011 and March 2019. Human rights groups said it was a major step toward justice for the victims of the country’s “war on drugs.”On 11th May, the ICC confirmed it had issued an arrest warrant for the sitting Senator and former police chief Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa. The warrant states that the ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber found there were “reasonable grounds to believe” Dela Rosa had committed the crime against humanity of murder, citing incidents in which 32 people were killed between 2016 and 2018. However, he has been evading the ICC warrant and is considered by the justice department as a fugitive from justice.According to Human Rights Watch, ten years on, the current Philippine president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has never repudiated the “war on drugs” as a government policy and has yet to rescind the orders and other policy statements issued by Duterte. There have been 1,273 killings in the anti-drug campaign since Marcos became president in June 2022, according to independent monitoring by the Dahas Project.In recent months, 19 individuals including at least 9 civilians were killed in Negros by the army during a military operation. Activists and others were arrested on fabricated charges, including health workers Dr. Ana Marie Rilloraza and Marc Mendiola, artist Charlize Garzon, migrant workers’ advocate Josephine Parra Porquia, and Gabriela member Ma. Luisa Guillen. There has been harassment of a fisherfolk leader in Negros, an environmental activist in Nueva Vizcaya and a Mindanao development NGO. The court also denied a petition of Cordillera rights defenders designated as terrorists. Two reports were issued on red-tagging and the targeting of human rights defenders. Greenpeace activists face illegal assembly charges for an ASEAN protest. There has been rising legal pressure on the media and press freedom, harassment of photojournalists during an ASEAN protest while Congress passes an anti-disinformation bill that could undermine freedoms.AssociationStill no accountability for killing of 19 including civilians in Negros By Spinning Toboso Killings Before Credible Probe, Marcos Govt Violates International LawNEWS ANALYSIS: The govt has framed its response to Toboso as though the military’s declaration of “success” is the default conclusion. Int’l law says the opposite.https://t.co/g51ZdhynJi pic.twitter.com/KgdXURrkkF— Carlos Conde 🇵🇭 (@carloshconde) April 29, 2026 There has been no accountability for the killing of 19 individuals by the 79th Infantry Battalion of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Toboso, Negros Occidental on 19th April 2026. Nine of those slain have since been identified as civilians, including community journalist RJ Nichole Ledesma, University of the Philippines (UP) students Alyssa Alano and Maureen Keil Santuyo, community researcher Errol Wendel Chen, Filipino-American advocates Kai Dana-Rene Sorem and Lyle Prijoles, local resident Roel Sabillo, and two unnamed minors.Ledesma, 30, was regional coordinator of the Altermidya Network. According to Altermidya, he was not at the initial clash site but was killed separately in Sitio Plariding during a military pursuit operation. Alano was a UP Diliman student council member living alongside farmers in Negros. Santuyo and Chen were peasant advocates documenting sugarcane workers’ conditions. Prijoles, a Filipino-American from California, was on community immersion when the operation occurred.The AFP maintains all 19 were members of the New People’s Army (NPA), citing the seizure of 24 firearms.However, according to activists, findings from an independent forensic investigation challenge the military’s narrative, pointing to inconsistencies with official claims, mishandling of the victims’ remains, and a failure to conduct a proper crime scene investigation in accordance with international standards. Further, due to inconsistencies in claims of the victims’ identities, the Philippine Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has launched an independent investigation.A national fact-finding and solidarity mission (NFSM) composed of more than a hundred human rights workers, lawmakers, activists, church workers, youth leaders, and journalists found the Philippine military liable for terrorising farming communities in Negros Occidental following the bloody massacre in Toboso. Members of the mission themselves experienced various forms of harassment during the conduct of the investigation.Human rights groups have called for accountability into the killings of the Negros 19, stressing that any investigation conducted by the AFP or the PNP cannot be considered genuine or impartial.Arrests of activists on fabricated chargesThe authorities arrested activists and others on fabricated charges and detained them. Health workers staged a protest outside the Department of Justice on June 22, urging the immediate release of detained physician Dr. Ana Marie Rilloraza and health worker Marc Mendiola, members of the “Cordillera 8.” The group also called for justice for victims of alleged…— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) June 22, 2026 Health workers Dr. Ana Marie Rilloraza, Marc Mendiola, and five others were arbitrarily arrested on 11th March 2026 following a joint police and military raid. Rilloraza was arrested along with Gabriel Kennedy Bangibang, Theresa Forag, Ranee Francella Tuazon, Renato Ginez, Marc Mendiola, and Javar Sugao, at a house on Pag-asa Street in Barangay Baras-Baras, Tarlac City. According to the 501st Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army, they are all facing charges of attempted murder and illegal possession of firearms and explosives.The Council for Health and Development (CHD), a national organisation of community-based health programmes in the Philippines, said in a statement that “these baseless accusations are an attack” not only on Rilloraza but on the broader movement for health, justice, and human rights. ALERT: Cultural worker illegally arrested in OccMin alleged “encounter”Military and police forces continue to deny Ms. Mayi Garzon and her companions immediate access to her daughter Charlize Garzon, who was detained at the San Jose Municipal Police Station in pic.twitter.com/zJnrpobi0P— CEGP (@CEGPhils) March 31, 2026 Artist Charlize Garzon was arrested on 29th March 2026 by the 68th Infantry Battalion and the 203rd Infantry Brigade of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. She is now detained at the San Jose District Jail in Occidental Mindoro, facing trumped-up charges of illegal possession of explosives, attempted murder, frustrated murder, and murder.At the time of her arrest, Garzon was serving as a volunteer teacher in the Mangyan indigenous community. Her detention occurred less than two weeks after municipal courts sanctioned the eviction of the Mangyan-Iraya from their lands.Authorities have linked Garzon to an alleged encounter between the New People’s Army (NPA) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Sitio Salafay, Barangay Monteclaro, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro. The incident reportedly resulted in the death of Captain Dean Buen Oyando and left two soldiers wounded during pursuit operations. 2 activists tagged as communist rebels arrested in Iloilo town https://t.co/fE7sQAxBUc— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) April 2, 2026 In April 2026, migrant workers’ advocate Josephine Parra Porquia, 64, and Gabriela member Ma. Luisa Guillen, 62, were arrested on trumped-up charges in Pavia town of Iloilo province. Porquia has spent decades advocating for migrant rights and community welfare, while Guillen has been active in pushing for women’s rights and accessible basic services.The military and the police, which launched a joint operation for their arrest, claimed that Porquia is a member of the Communist Party of the Philippines’ Panay regional committee, is the subject of an arrest warrant that was issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 21 in Mambusao, Capiz in June 2012, and was found to have materials for making improvised explosive devices in her possession. They also claimed that Guillen interfered with Porquia’s arrest.Harassment of fisherfolk leader in Negros “It is not a crime to help the poor, fisherfolk, farmers, and indigenous peoples here in Negros. We are doing nothing wrong,” Joselito Macapobre said in an interview with Bulatlat. “It is not the first time that this has happened.”Read: https://t.co/8Dxghtd0pa pic.twitter.com/QG3rcbn3AI— Bulatlat (@bulatlat) April 7, 2026 Joselito Macapobre, chairperson of fisherfolk association PAMAGI and community organiser of the Paghidaet sa Kauswagan Development Group (PDG) in Negros Occidental, faced harassment and intimidation.According to KARAPATAN, on 30th March 2026, at around 9:00 a.m., two coastal guards, identified as Jennery A. Pancho and Arquisa John Mark delos Reyes, went to Macapobre’s residence in Barangay Guiljungan, Cauayan. The two reportedly attempted to obtain the names of members of fisherfolk association PAMAGI. They interrogated Macapobre’s wife and another resident, inquiring about his whereabouts and making accusations linking him to the New People’s Army (NPA).The incident caused fear and alarm among the families of fisherfolk members, who believe that the gathering of names places them at risk of red-tagging and further harassment.There have been a series of threats and attacks against Macapobre and other PDG staff. In January 2026, Macapobre survived an attempted abduction by alleged members of the 15th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army in Candoni, Negros Occidental. He has also been subjected to repeated surveillance and red-tagging, including accusations of supporting the NPA.PAMAGI is an association of fisherfolk in their barangay in Negros, established to fight for their right to land. Since most homes in their community are situated on the shorelines, they are vulnerable to the high tides and rising sea levels.Environmental activist interrogated in Nueva Vizcaya Environmental activist and student leader Angel Lopez was interrogated while in a community immersion activity in communities affected by large-scale mining operations in Nueva Vizcaya on 13th and 14th June 2026.Lopez is a student at the College of Engineering of the University of the Philippines Diliman. He is also a member of Agham Youth UP Diliman, which is part of the broader environmental alliance Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines (YACAP).While in Kasibu, he was forcibly removed from the activity after family members, accompanied by men believed to be military personnel in civilian clothes, arrived at the venue. Lopez was then transported in a vehicle accompanied by four suspected military intelligence agents and later brought to a restaurant, where he was interrogated. During the interrogation, he was repeatedly forced to admit to being a member of underground organisations and was told that such activities that he participated in could lead to him being a member of the New People’s Army.Harassment of Mindanao development NGOThere have been threats, harassment and intimidation by state agents against a grassroots-oriented development NGO and its former staff in Mindanao.According to KARAPATAN, former administrative staff of Kalasan People’s Center for Environmental Concerns, Inc. (KALASAN PCECI), a Mindanao-based environmental organisation, are facing harassment. KALASAN PCECI was arbitrarily designated as a terrorist group by the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) in January 2026. The designation was followed by a Sanctions Freeze Order that blocked all properties and funds owned or controlled by KALASAN PCECI.KALASAN PCECI has long been involved in agroforestry and reforestation efforts and restoring ecosystems in Mindanao. These activities stalled with the ATC’s terrorist designation of KALASAN and the freezing of the latter’s assets and accounts.Since then, former officers and staff of KALASAN have been subjected to harassment. The latest incident involved an unwanted visit on 2nd June 2026 by three elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group of the Philippine National Police (PNP-CIDG) in Malaybalay City to the Cagayan de Oro City home of Wilonah Barros-Itum, a member of KALASAN’s administrative staff until 2024. She served KALASAN for 11 years.Among the things they wanted to ask her were KALASAN’s funding sources, the names of her co-workers, when and how she started working at KALASAN and the full name of an officer of a Bukidnon-based agro-company with which KALASAN had once partnered for a reforestation project in degraded watershed areas of Northern Mindanao.Court denies petition of Cordillera rights defenders designated as terroristsOn 30th April 2026, the Baguio City Regional Trial Court, Branch 78, denied the Petition for Certiorari filed by Cordillera People’s Alliance (CPA) Chairperson Windel Bolinget, founding member Sarah Alikes, Research Commission member Jennifer Taggaoa, and Regional Council member Stephen Tauli.The petitioners, activists for indigenous people’s rights and self-determination, sought judicial review of their designation as terrorists by the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) in 2023. Their petition constituted the first constitutional challenge to the ATC’s power to designate individuals and organisations as terrorists under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.The National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) expressed its profound disappointment over the decision. It said it “denies petitioners effective judicial review despite clear evidence of serious constitutional infringements. Crucially, it fails to reckon with the profound implications of terrorist designation, including the suppression of lawful advocacy, the curtailment of basic liberties, severe reputational damage, and the persistent spectre of criminal liability.”They have since filed a petition with the Court of Appeal.Human rights body releases new report on red-tagging Statement of the Commission on Human Rights calling for urgent action to end red-tagging and protect human rights defendersThe Commission on Human Rights (CHR) reiterates its call to eliminate the practice of red-tagging and urges all branches of government to take urgent… pic.twitter.com/RBuDXBBO3S— CHR Philippines (@chrgovph) May 5, 2026 On 5th May 2026, The Commission on Human Rights published its report titled “National Inquiry on the Current Situation of Human Rights Defenders in the Philippines with a Focus on Incidents of Red-Tagging.”It stated that in recent years, the CHR has noted an increase in reported cases involving the vilification and labelling of human rights defenders—particularly those perceived to be associated with progressive or left-leaning movements—as being anti-democratic or linked to armed insurgency.It stated that red-tagging is characterised by recurring patterns of labelling individuals and groups, particularly human rights defenders, as communists, terrorists, or enemies of the State within counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism frameworks disseminated through print, broadcast, online media, and public fora, and that such practices threaten fundamental rights including life, liberty, security, privacy, expression, association, and due process and may serve as precursors to grave violations such as arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings.The victims of red-tagging include a wide range of actors engaged in legitimate civic and human rights work. While various legal remedies exist, such as criminal, civil, administrative, and extraordinary writs, there is no specific law defining or penalising red-tagging as a distinct offence. This results in fragmented protection, limited accountability, and barriers to access to justice, compounded by challenges such as impunity and the misuse of legal processes.New report finds human rights defenders under attackA new report published in June 2026, underscored the challenges that human rights defenders and other members of civil society have faced under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.The report by the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a partnership between the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), shows that, under the Philippines’ current President, a climate of impunity for past and ongoing human rights violations has prevailed, and civil society has operated in an environment that remains highly restrictive and dangerous.The report shows that repressive counter-terrorism laws and counter-insurgency policies have been used to attack and criminalise land and environmental rights defenders, human rights lawyers, journalists, trade unionists, and women human rights defenders, including those from Indigenous People’s communities. Threats, harassment (especially surveillance and “red-tagging”), arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings have been the most common forms of attacks against defenders.Child rights activist Sally Ujano freed from prison Child rights activist Ma. Salome “Sally” Ujano has been released from detention at the Correctional Institute for Women in Mandaluyong City after the Court of Appeals granted her petition assailing her 2024 rebellion conviction, a movement seeking her release said on Friday,… pic.twitter.com/WpOuzSapEv— Rappler (@rapplerdotcom) March 27, 2026 On 24th March 2026, the Court of Appeals acquitted Ma. Salome “Sally” Crisostomo-Ujano, a staunch human rights activist, of rebellion charges.As previously documented, Ujano, a woman human rights defender who has served as Executive Director of the Women’s Crisis Center (WCC), was arrested and convicted in May 2024 by Branch 266 of the Taguig City Regional Trial Court, and sentenced to a minimum of ten years in prison and a maximum of 17 years and four months. She was accused of being a high-ranking officer and member of a group involved in a series of crimes committed against government troops. Ujano had been identified by two witnesses in a video conference hearing who claimed that they had seen her engaging in hostilities with the NPA against government troops.Amnesty International Philippines said: “Sally Ujano’s acquittal did not come as a surprise because her arrest and detention should never have occurred in the first place. Her case demonstrates clear miscarriage of justice and the improper use of criminal proceedings based on trumped up charges against a human rights defender.”Court dismisses terrorism financing case against Cebu NGOIn May 2026, a court dismissed terrorism financing charges against the Community Empowerment Resource Network (CERNET), a nongovernmental organisation based in Cebu province that works with marginalised groups to promote economic, social, and cultural rights.As previously documented, CERNET has been the target of unfounded and baseless accusations of having links to the Communist Party of the Philippines and New People’s Army (CPP-NPA). In May 2024, terrorist financing charges were filed against CERNET and individuals currently or previously on its council, board or staff. CERNET was accused of handing over funds to the South Eastern Front (SEF) group of the National People’s Army (NPA) in Dumaguete City, which is classified as a terrorist organisation.In a statement following the court ruling, Oliver Gimenez, chair of CERNET’s board, said the “ruling exposes the dangers of weaponising counterterrorism laws against legitimate humanitarian and development work.”Peaceful AssemblyGreenpeace activists face illegal assembly charges for ASEAN protestFour Greenpeace activists are facing charges of illegal assembly for holding a peaceful protest at the venue of the ASEAN Summit in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu on 8th May 2026.The protest took place at the Mactan Newtown premises. Members of the environmental group Greenpeace were calling on ASEAN leaders to end the plastic crisis and fossil fuel dependence before they were taken into police custody by the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office.They were charged with violating the Public Assembly Act of 1985 “(Batas Pambansa Blg. 880) and bail was posted on 9th May. The law has been misused by the authorities to restrict the right to peaceful assembly by requiring application for permits before conducting protests.Karl Orit, communications campaigner for Greenpeace Southeast Asia–Philippines, informed the media that the activists had been released.Harassment of photojournalists during ASEAN protest The Southern Police District (SPD) has launched an investigation into police officers who allegedly harassed and attempted to arrest photojournalists covering an anti-ASEAN protest in Pasay City on July 22.https://t.co/5m3ZXC942u— Philstar.com (@PhilstarNews) July 23, 2026 Police officers allegedly harassed and attempted to arrest photojournalists covering an anti-ASEAN protest in Pasay City on 22nd July 2026. Photojournalists Bullit Marquez and Rene Dilan were reportedly confronted by the police personnel and were prevented them from taking pictures of protesters being arrested at the rally. Marquez was nearly handcuffed during the confrontation, causing his camera to fall to the ground.Police also arrested environmental activist and Bulatlat contributor Jian Sanz while taking photos. Sanz said that the police prevented three women who were part of a paralegal team from entering the police station to assist her. However, lawyer Maria Sol Taule of the human rights alliance Karapatan came to her aid. She was released after 40 minutes.ExpressionRising legal pressure on media and press freedomThe Philippines is facing intensified legal pressure on journalists. In May 2026, the country was ranked 114th in the latest Reporters Without Borders (RSF) index.In the Philippines, these pressures take multiple forms. Despite constitutional guarantees of press freedom, criminal defamation remains punishable under the penal code, carrying prison sentences of up to six years. The Cybercrime Prevention Act imposes harsher penalties for online libel, reinforcing a climate that fosters self-censorship among journalists and media organisations. RSF also pointed to the use of terrorism-related charges against journalists.Under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., authorities continue to resort to “red-tagging,” a practice in which journalists are labelled as subversives or linked to armed groups, exposing them to threats, surveillance, and prosecution. Several journalists from independent media networks have faced charges tying them to alleged terrorist activities.The report also highlighted how disinformation and political polarisation are reshaping the country’s information space. Journalists also continue to face serious safety risks. The Philippines remains one of the most dangerous countries for journalistsCongress passes anti-disinformation bill that could undermine freedomsOn 3rd June 2026, The House of Representatives passed a bill that would make spreading “false information” a criminal offence.The chamber approved the measure on third and final reading, with 286 lawmakers voting in favour, three against, and seven abstaining. It now moves to the Senate.The measure would make it a criminal offence to “publish, disseminate, finance, direct or materially assist in the dissemination of false information,” with penalties that include prison sentences of six to twelve years and fines of up to Php12 million (USD 194,250).Human Rights Watch said the language in the law is dangerously imprecise. “The Philippines’ ‘anti-false information’ bill has vague and overly broad language that the government can weaponise to silence free expression. It empowers the authorities to encroach on individual speech as well as the independence of news organisations and other digital platforms.”Among the provisions drawing the most scrutiny is one that would criminalise spreading false information on behalf of, or under the direction of, a foreign state or foreign-funded influence operation. HRW warned this could ensnare individuals and organisations that share information about legitimate engagements with foreign officials.The law also concentrates significant regulatory power in the Department of Information and Communications Technology, which would be authorised to designate platforms as “Very Large Online Platforms” and compel them to coordinate on content takedown and account removal requests. Critics note the proposal contains no provision for independent oversight of that process.Altermidya raised alarms about the speed of the bill’s passage, saying it was elevated to the full House immediately after clearing committee, and approved on second reading after only a brief debate — a process that undermined the transparency required for legislation of this consequence. Civic Space Developments Country Philippines Country rating Repressed Category Latest Developments Tags attack on journalist, environmental rights, harassment, HRD acquitted, HRD detained, HRD prosecuted, indigenous groups, killing of journalist, positive court ruling, protest disruption, public vilification, restrictive law, women, youth, Date Posted 24.07.2026 Back to civic space developments