Ottawa Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines

05/24/2026

SHUT DOWN CANSEC
May 28 | 7am | EY Centre

OCHRP calls for ending the annual CANSEC conference in Ottawa! CANSEC facilitates the sale of weapons and ordinances that will be used to terrorize communities in the Philippines, Palestine and beyond.

05/23/2026

05/16/2026

Fact Finding Mission in Negros disproves military claims; Confirms civilian casualties in Toboso 19 Massacre

The International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) today strongly supported the results of the Fact Finding Mission in Toboso, Negros Occidental on the massacre by the Philippine Army on April 19. ICHRP is deeply disturbed by the findings of the mission amid new information about the massacred individuals. The mission consisted of more than a hundred delegates from various local and international organizations.

“The Fact Finding Mission confirmed what human rights groups have long been saying–six of the nineteen individuals killed–including student leader Alyssa Alano, peasant organizers Maureen Santuyo and Errol Wendel, journalist RJ Ledesma, Filipino-American activist Kai Sorem, and ICHRP member Lyle Prijoles were unarmed civilians, as confirmed by witness testimonies in the communities. This categorically disproves the 79th Infantry Battalion’s claim that all of them were armed combatants,” said Peter Murphy, ICHRP Chairperson.

“We also condemn in the strongest terms the blacklisting and deportation last May 12 of our Global Council member Reverend Sadie Stone, who was in the Philippines to participate in the Fact Finding Mission in Negros. She was barred from entry in the airport for supposedly participating in “political activities” in 2016. Reverend Stone is the third ICHRP member in the past two years to be blacklisted by the Marcos Jr. government, following Gordon Mutch in 2025 and Copeland Downs in 2024,” added Murphy.

Ariel Casilao of the Unyon ng Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (UMA) confirmed that Errol Wendel and Maureen Santuyo were both deployed to Negros to conduct research and help farmers and farm workers in Barangay Salamanca in Toboso who are engaged in an ongoing land dispute, a case already raised to the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).

Attorney Maria Sol Taule of Karapatan said there was already intense militarization in Toboso even before April 19. Residents reported seeing several drones hovering over their community days before the massacre, while military personnel visited at least 18 houses on April 19 to look for the NPA’s whereabouts. A resident, together with a 14-year-old boy and a mother who were out to harvest shellfish, was also accosted, illegally detained, and interrogated by the military about the presence of the NPA in the area.

ICHRP Britain member Cieran McGowan who was part of the mission said he was astonished at how rich landlords in Negros benefit from the hard work of peasants, while the latter suffer from complete slavery, and are killed when they struggle for land.

“Lyle Prijoles and Kai Sorem went to Negros to do exactly what we came here for–learn about the conditions of the Filipino people. Why were they murdered when they were just there to learn?” said McGowan.

“We salute the delegation’s determination to get the truth about this terrible massacre and call on the international community to study their findings. We want governments to review their political and military relations with the Marcos Jr. government based on this information,” continued Murphy.

“How can Marcos Jr. claim to be a diplomat of peace and respect international humanitarian law when the international community is witnessing the bloodshed and innumerable war crimes committed by his regime?” Murphy asked.

ICHRP US leader, Lyle Prijoles, was one of those killed at Toboso, and so the organization is sharing with Filipino organizations and families the pain of the callous and relentless repression suffered by farmers, workers and Indigenous Peoples communities in the Philippines as they struggle to uplift incomes and political rights in the poverty-stricken country.

“The evidence found belies the narrative created by the military, who had complete control of the site from April 19 to 21. Negros was already the massacre capital of the Philippines and this case only underlines the reality that violations of International Humanitarian Law and human rights are rampant in the Philippines today,” concluded Murphy.

Further comment: Peter Murphy, ICHRP Chairperson, +61418312301, [email protected]

05/08/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗽𝘀𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘀 𝟭𝟵, 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝟮 𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗼-𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘀, 𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗼𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆

A recently conducted autopsy of those killed in the Negros 19 massacre in the Philippines, including Filipino-Americans Lyle Prijoles and Kai Sorem, is painting a picture that counters the Armed Forces of the Philippines' (AFP) narrative that the massacre was a "legitimate armed encounter". Forensic pathologist Dr. Raquel Fortun—who was pivotal in the examination of bodies killed under former president Rodrigo Duterte‘s drug war and featured in the New York Times for her expertise—led the autopsy, which was conducted April 25-29 at the request of the victims' relatives. The results exposed many discrepancies in the narrative of the AFP and indicate war crimes.

Dr. Fortun noted gross mishandling of the remains and evidence following the massacre, including a lack of a basic homicide investigation, and the lack of preservation of the bodies as well as the belongings of those killed. Fortun shared some of the remains were already in advanced stages of decomposition and wrapped tightly in plastic, including their faces. The autopsy also revealed that the clothes of the victims in the images presented by the AFP did not match what happened to their bodies. For example, one of the bodies examined had a bullet vest on, but Fortun pointed out that if he was hit where the bullet vest had been placed, there should have also been a hole in the vest.

Fortun also highlighted a disturbing case of mishandling—after examining the body submitted by the AFP identified as Errol Wendel, she concluded that it was not him after comparing the body's height, dental features, scars and clothing with what relatives knew of Errol.

The examination of gun shot wounds on the bodies illustrated bullets entered from the back shot by high velocity rifles, which runs counter to the claims that the Negros 19 were killed in a live firefight. One victim was shot four times including a shot to the leg, where the bullet struck an artery and a vein. According to Fortun, the individual's cause of death was likely due to bleeding out from the wound and neglect to provide medical attention, which constitutes a violation of international humanitarian law.

Following the autopsy results, community members and organizations have committed to ensuring the truth of what happened during the massacre comes to light, and that those who killed the Negros 19 are brought to justice. They remain unfazed by "troll-army" comments cruelly calling the victims "corned beef", as well as the AFP and National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict's (NTF-ELCAC) continuous terror-tagging of organizations involved in advocacy similar to that of Prijoles and Sorem.

“The horrific facts revealed by the autopsy show the extent to which the Philippine government will cover up its war crimes. It only makes us more motivated to fight for justice," stated Andan Bonifacio of BAYAN USA. "How dare they blame the victims themselves and the organizations defending them when it is the AFP that massacred them."

Throughout the month of May and beyond, Filipino community organizations and allies will continue to hold activities in cities across the country seeking justice for Prijoles, Sorem, and the Negros 19. They are also united in challenging Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s bid for a seat in the United Nations Security Council, a body responsible for maintaining international peace and security. "The government's massacre of the Negros 19 proves, without a shadow of a doubt, that Marcos Jr. is not capable of bringing peace nor security for the Filipino people," Bonifacio added. # # #

05/05/2026

BAYAN EV condemns the firing of US Typhon missile system from Tacloban
Balikatan risks people’s security, disrupts livelihoods in Eastern Visayas

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan Eastern Visayas (BAYAN-EV) condemns the first-ever firing of the US Typhon mid-range capability missile system from the Tacloban Airport in Leyte today to hit a target in Laur, Nueva Ecija, 630 kilometers away, as part of the US-Philippines Balikatan war exercises. This is an escalation that risks drawing the Philippines to US-led wars and conflict, violates national sovereignty, and compromises the security of the Filipino people.

According to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Typhon was the missile system used, armed with a Tomahawk missile designed to attack land-based targets that are 805 to 1500 kilometers away.

The Balikatan war exercises disrupt the livelihoods of fisherfolk communities in Tacloban and Palo, Leyte. State forces have been deployed to these communities to restrict them from fishing in the San Pedro Bay for at least a week. Communities experience fear, and insecurity as they are not assured of government support to cover the loss of livelihood and income due to the exercises.

BAYAN-EV condemns the administration of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for supporting the US war machine, and for squandering resources on these war exercises while the Filipino people suffer from an economic crisis.

US troops are not welcome in Eastern Visayas!
US troops out now!
Wages, jobs, education, rights – not imperialist wars! #

04/30/2026

RJ Ledesma was 30-year-old journalist and poet. At the University of St. La Salle–Bacolod, he served on the student newspaper Spectrum as editor-in-chief. Later, he worked as a regional coordinator for Altermidya Network in Negros island and a writer and editor for Paghimutad-Negros.

Much of his writing shed light on the issues faced by rural communities in the Philippines. He reported on reclamation projects, the expansion of palm oil plantations, and the working conditions of sugarcane laborers. Colleagues describe his writing as meticulous and sharp in its analysis. They remember RJ as gentle, brilliant, and devoted to amplifying the voices of marginalized populations.

Even though the regions of the communities he covered were often militarized, RJ immersed himself with the people to learn their stories. In Negros, he was investigating how farming families were displaced by large-scale renewable energy projects like solar farms, windmills and hydropower projects. Despite the danger, RJ dedicated his life to amplifying the voices of the most disadvantaged sectors.

04/30/2026

Alyssa Alano was a 22-year-old political science student at the University of the Philippines Diliman. She was heavily involved in student activism and participated in campaigns on education funding, anti-corruption, and campus militarization. She was serving as an education and research councilor on the university student council.

University faculty and fellow students remember Alyssa as compassionate, diligent, and brave. Guided by strong principles and steady resolve, she sought to highlight the plights of marginalized Filipinos.

Alyssa visited Negros to immerse in farming communities and study their struggles with land seizures and intensifying militarization. The recent attack in Toboso confirms the ongoing need to expose the challenges faced by rural communities. Alyssa’s activism will remain a shining example for others to stand up for the rights of peasants.

04/26/2026

3 DAYS TO GO

Join us this Wednesday for an informative discussion on the peasant situation in the Philippines led by Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas chairperson Danilo "Ka Daning" Ramos.

What is the role of peasant farmers and what is their importance?

Given their importance, how are they affected by not only corruption in the Philippine Government, but the world situation such as the US Israel War on Iran and even our own Canadian government's support for the corrupt state?

What role to we play, as Filipinos in the diaspora or as concerned individuals in Canada?

Come to Carleton University, Paterson Hall 201 from 6 to 9PM to learn more!

04/24/2026

04/22/2026

Military Operations Constitute Grave International Humanitarian Law Violations in Negros Island, Philippines

https://ichrp.net/military-operations-in-negros-constitute-grave-international-humanitarian-law-violations/

The International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) strongly condemns the military operations conducted by the 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) of the Philippine Army in Brgy. Salamanca, Toboso, Negros Occidental in Central Philippines, last April 19.

According to local reports, the successive military operations killed 19 individuals and forcibly displaced more than 653 residents from 168 households in peasant communities in Barangays Salamanca and San Jose.

The military claims that it was a military encounter with the New People’s Army (NPA). But the sheer number of casualties, who are alleged by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to be NPA members, and the nature of the operations strongly point to possible widespread IHL violations.

Locals also refute the military’s claims. Roel Sobillo, a relative of one of the victims, asserts that Sobillo was only a farmer who worked under his uncle’s business in the area. Other victims include RJ Nichole Ledesma, a journalist and cultural worker, and Alyssa Alano, a student leader and peasant organizer. As of now, the surviving families and human rights groups are still verifying details of the incident and the identities of the victims.

Ledesma was a writer and editor of local alternative media outfit Paghimutad-Negros and the regional coordinator in Negros Island of Altermidya, a Filipino network of independent and progressive media outfits. Meanwhile, Alyssa Alano was a student leader at the University of the Philippines - Diliman and an incumbent councilor on its student council. Both were reported to have been conducting community work and immersion with communities in the area to research the conditions of the local peasants at the time of their killings.

ICHRP strongly supports the call to launch an immediate and impartial investigation into the killings and the forced evacuation of hundreds of families. Given the nature of the AFP’s military operations and their long track record of violating the rights of civilians and combatants alike, ICHRP is vigilant and will constantly monitor the situation for possible human rights and IHL violations. We call on the international community to amplify the calls for justice for all victims in Negros Occidental.

01/24/2026

Conviction of Frenchie Mae Cumpio and Mariel Domequil on financing of terrorism must be overturned – global human rights group

https://www.ichrp.net/y8y7

Press Statement
January 24, 2026

“They have been in jail for almost six years on what the court has found to be fake fi****ms and explosives charges, but fake testimony about financing the New People’s Army could now keep journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and her co-accused, lay church worker Mariel Domequil, in prison for at least another six years,” said Peter Murphy, chairperson of the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP). “We urge an immediate appeal to overturn these convictions.”

“Ms Cumpio and Ms Domequil should be granted bail immediately, to get them out f the Tacloban City jail,” Murphy said.

“ICHRP joins with a huge array of organisations in condemning this conviction on blatantly false evidence,” said Murphy. These organizations include the national human rights alliance KARAPATAN, the Committee to Protect Journalists Asia-Pacific, Reporters without Borders, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, the national women’s alliance Gabriela, and independent online news service Altermidya.

The continued jailing of Ms Cumpio, executive director of the community media Eastern Vista at the time of her arrest, is a vivid demonstration of the ongoing repression of the media in the Philippines, especially of journalists critical of government policies. Ms Cumpio reported on the killings of peasant leaders. Ms Domequil is a lay worker with Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP), dedicated to support projects with peasant communities in the Eastern Visayas. RMP was heavily persecuted by the Duterte administration and this continues under Marcos Jr.

“Ms Cumpio and Ms Domequil are political prisoners. These fabricated charges must be quashed and the prisoners liberated,” said Murphy. “There are over 695 political prisoners in the Philippines, a real scandal in Southeast Asia. All of them should be freed to enable deep going political reform.”

The two were convicted on January 22, 2026, of financing terrorism by the Regional Trial Court in Tacloban City, Leyte, a court which also acquitted them of illegal possession of fi****ms and ammunition. The pair was sentenced to a jail term of 12 to 18 years. They were arrested back on February 7, 2020, and the explosives charge was non-bailable.

The state had alleged that on March 29, 2019 in Catbalogan, Samar, Cumpio and Domequil allegedly delivered cash and support to the New People’s Army, in alleged violation of Republic Act No. 10168, the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act. The fi****ms and explosives charges were thrown out because the court found they were based on unreliable witnesses, speculative intelligence, and inconsistent narratives. But based on this unreliable evidence, security forces raided the Eastern Vista office on February 7, 2020 in Tacloban City, seizing ₱557,360.00, (USD9,430) which had been collected to aid communities hit by natural disaster or military attack.

“ICHRP calls for all seized funds to be returned to the humanitarian organizations concerned, so that they can continue their important work,” said Murphy.

“The National Taskforce to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) drives this kind of repression and gross injustice,” said Murphy. “It is long overdue that the international community press for the abolition of NTF-ELCAC and the transformation of the judiciary into an independent institution that upholds the law, especially the basic human rights of the Filipino people set out in the Constitution and in international law.”

“The Anti-Terrorism Law (RA 11479), based on Australian advice, and the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Law (RA 10168), must be repealed or fundamentally redrawn,” Murphy concluded.