Commission on Human Rights - Mimaropa

01/06/2026

𝙔𝙤𝙤𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙤𝙤! 𝙃𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙮 𝙋𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙈𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙝, 𝙢𝙜𝙖 𝙢𝙖𝙝𝙖𝙡! 🌈✨ 𝘼𝙮𝙮𝙪𝙪𝙪𝙪𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙗𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚! 💖

Panahon ito ng pagmamahal, pagdiriwang, at buong tapang na pagpapakatotoo.

Sama-sama nating ipagdiwang ang iba’t ibang kasarian, kulay, at kwento habang naninindigan laban sa diskriminasyon at pang-aapi. Palaging kasama ng LGBTQIA+ community ang Commission on Human Rights sa patuloy na pagsusulong ng pantay na karapatan at dignidad para sa lahat. Dahil ang karapatang magmahal, magpahayag ng sarili, at mamuhay nang malaya ay karapatan ng bawat isa. ✊🏳️‍🌈

Kaya wear your colors loud and proud, spread love, at patuloy tayong magkaisa para sa isang mundong mas makulay, mas ligtas, at tunay na makatao. 🌈✨

25/05/2026

Isama ang buong tropa, 𝗠𝗜𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗔! ✊🗳

Lalayag na ang Youth Caravan sa Region IV-B! 🌊
Kita-kits tayo sa Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro sa 26 Mayo 2026 para sa makabuluhang talakayan tungkol sa human rights, youth leadership, at responsableng pagboto sa panahon ng fake news, disinformation, at personality politics. 💡✊

Sama-sama nating isulong ang boses ng kabataan para sa lideratong may malasakit, pananagutan, at paggalang sa karapatang pantao. ✨

Kaya tara na, kabataan sa MIMAROPA! Makilahok, makialam, at maging bahagi ng henerasyong bumoboto nang may prinsipyo at paninindigan. 💙💛

20/05/2026

Ginugunita ang International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Day bilang pag-alala sa mga buhay na nawala dahil sa AIDS at pakikiisa sa mga Persons Living with HIV (PLHIV). Kalakip ng paggunita ngayong taon ang temang “LIGHT THE LEGACY. Remember. Advance. Act.” na nagbibigay-diin sa kahalagahan ng pag-alala, pagpapatuloy ng adbokasiya, at sama-samang pagkilos tungo sa isang lipunang ligtas sa stigma at diskriminasyon.

Sa Pilipinas, patuloy na tumataas ang bilang ng HIV cases, habang nananatili ring hamon ang stigma, diskriminasyon, at hindi pantay na access sa HIV testing, treatment, at healthcare services. Paalala ang araw na ito na ang kalusugan, dignidad, at pantay na pagtrato ay mga karapatang pantao na dapat matamasa ng lahat, kabilang ang mga PLHIV.

Kaisa ang Commission on Human Rights sa pagsusulong ng rights-based na pagtugon sa HIV, kung saan mananaig ang malasakit, pag-unawa, at paggalang sa dignidad ng bawat tao. Sa bawat sindi ng kandila, nawa’y magsilbi itong liwanag tungo sa isang lipunang mas ligtas, makatao, at walang iniiwan.

Ngayong 17 Mayo 2026, ginugunita ang International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Day bilang pag-alala sa mga buhay na nawala dahil sa AIDS at pakikiisa sa mga Persons Living with HIV (PLHIV). Kalakip ng paggunita ngayong taon ang temang “LIGHT THE LEGACY. Remember. Advance. Act.” na nagbibigay-diin sa kahalagahan ng pag-alala, pagpapatuloy ng adbokasiya, at sama-samang pagkilos tungo sa isang lipunang ligtas sa stigma at diskriminasyon.

Sa Pilipinas, patuloy na tumataas ang bilang ng HIV cases, habang nananatili ring hamon ang stigma, diskriminasyon, at hindi pantay na access sa HIV testing, treatment, at healthcare services. Paalala ang araw na ito na ang kalusugan, dignidad, at pantay na pagtrato ay mga karapatang pantao na dapat matamasa ng lahat, kabilang ang mga PLHIV.

Kaisa ang Commission on Human Rights sa pagsusulong ng rights-based na pagtugon sa HIV, kung saan mananaig ang malasakit, pag-unawa, at paggalang sa dignidad ng bawat tao. Sa bawat sindi ng kandila, nawa’y magsilbi itong liwanag tungo sa isang lipunang mas ligtas, makatao, at walang iniiwan.

19/05/2026

Join us for the launch webinar of the 2026 Webinar Series on Environmental Human Rights Defenders in Asia. CHR Chairperson Richard P. Palpal-latoc will be part of the panel.

Just a few days before the International Day for Biological Diversity, this webinar is a timely reminder that protecting biodiversity also means protecting the people and communities who defend forests, rivers, land, ecosystems and the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.

Across Asia, environmental human rights defenders continue to face serious risks as they stand up for communities, nature and our shared future. Their voices, experiences and protection must be central to environmental governance, climate action and biodiversity commitments.

🌿 Tomorrow: Join us for the launch webinar of the 2026 Webinar Series on Environmental Human Rights Defenders in Asia

Just a few days before the International Day for Biological Diversity, this webinar is a timely reminder that protecting biodiversity also means protecting the people and communities who defend forests, rivers, land, ecosystems and the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.

Across Asia, environmental human rights defenders continue to face serious risks as they stand up for communities, nature and our shared future. Their voices, experiences and protection must be central to environmental governance, climate action and biodiversity commitments.
📌 Environmental Human Rights Defenders in Asia: Regional Trends, Subregional Perspectives and Policy Developments
🗓 Tuesday, 19 May 2026
🕒 15:00–16:30 Bangkok time (UTC+7)
💻 Online via Zoom

The webinar will feature keynote reflections from:
🔹 Astrid Puentes Riaño, UN Special Rapporteur on the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment
🔹 Joan Carling, Executive Director, Indigenous Peoples Rights International

We will also hear subregional perspectives from:
🔹 Ravi Rebbapragada, Executive Director, Samata, India
🔹 Urantsooj Gombosuren, Chairperson, Centre for Human Rights and Development, Mongolia
🔹 Danil Bekturganov, Director, Civil Expertise, Kazakhstan
With responder reflections from National Human Rights Institutions:
🔹 Atty. Richard P. Palpal-latoc, Chairperson, Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines
🔹 Sasipim Arampibulkit, Director, International Human Rights Affairs Bureau, National Human Rights Commission of Thailand

🔗 Register here: https://un-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__XZ6qAu-TFKPxp7rYys6kg

Join us in recognizing and supporting environmental human rights defenders as essential partners in protecting biodiversity, advancing human rights and building a more sustainable future.

11/05/2026

Updated CHR Citizen's Charter 2026, 1st Edition
https://chr.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/CHR-Citizens-Charter_2026-1st-Edition-Updated-Manual-1.pdf

For more information, please visit the CHR Website at chr.gov.ph

08/05/2026

CHR MIMAROPA formalized its partnership with Mindoro State University through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement on March 12, 2026. The agreement seeks to strengthen the collaboration between the institutions and foster a culture of human rights by establishing and institutionalizing a Center for Human Rights Education at the University.

CHR MIMAROPA OIC Regional Director Atty. Brenda E. Canapi and Mindoro State University President Dr. Enya Marie D. Apostol affirmed the partnership through a ceremonial signing at CHR MIMAROPA Regional Office in Quezon City.

07/05/2026

After a temporary pause in our Human Rights Institute (HRI) course offerings, we are pleased to officially reopen our learning programs for 2026.

We sincerely thank everyone for your patience and continued interest during the break. As we return, we remain committed to providing a stronger and more engaging learning experience through improved materials, updated approaches, and more accessible human rights education opportunities.

We are back — renewed, reenergized, and ready to continue learning with you.

To mark the return of our HRI learning programs, we are pleased to open our first course offering for 2026.

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

GENERAL COURSE
HUMAN RIGHTS 101

A total of 500 slots are available for this course on a first-come, first-served basis.

Course Duration: May 11–15, 2026

Successful enrollees shall be given access to human rights education materials, including reading materials, learning videos, and other related resources, which they are expected to read and watch from May 11–14, 2026 at their own pace.

All participants, however, are required to attend the “Rationalization Session” on the fifth day of the course, May 15, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM via Zoom.

Only enrollees who comply with all course requirements and attend the Rationalization Session shall be entitled to receive a Certificate of Completion. The certificate, together with its corresponding certificate code, shall serve as a prerequisite for enrollment in the specialized and higher level courses under the program.

Register through this link: https://tinyurl.com/menj5mbt

05/05/2026

Statement of the Commission on Human Rights calling for urgent action to end red-tagging and protect human rights defenders

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) reiterates its call to eliminate the practice of red-tagging and urges all branches of government to take urgent action to protect fundamental freedoms in the country.

The CHR’s findings and recommendations are drawn from the _National Inquiry on the Current Situation of Human Rights Defenders in the Philippines with a Focus on Incidents of Red-Tagging_ conducted in 2025.
The Inquiry was conducted through a participatory, nationwide process, drawing from public hearings, sworn statements, and expert inputs from government, legal practitioners, civil society, and human rights defenders. Proceedings were held across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao to capture diverse experiences and perspectives, while recognizing limitations in participation and scope.

The Inquiry finds that red-tagging persists as a pattern of labeling individuals and groups as “communists,” “terrorists,” or “enemies of the State,” often without due process and through public and online platforms. Those affected include journalists, lawyers, students, labor leaders, Indigenous Peoples, and community organizers engaged in advocacy and civic work, as well as those voicing legitimate dissent on government policies.

The CHR underscores that red-tagging is not a harmless label. It creates a real and well-founded risk of harm. It exposes individuals to threats, harassment, and violence, and may serve as a precursor to grave human rights violations, including arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings.

The Inquiry further shows that red-tagging undermines the rights to life, liberty, security, expression, and association. It creates a chilling effect on dissent and weakens democratic participation. Despite existing legal remedies, the absence of a specific law penalizing red-tagging results in fragmented protection and limited accountability.

In response, the CHR calls for urgent and coordinated action across all branches of government.

The Executive is urged to adopt a comprehensive policy prohibiting red-tagging and to strengthen mechanisms that ensure prompt and impartial investigation of violations. The Legislative branch is called upon to enact a law that clearly defines and penalizes red-tagging, review existing counter-terrorism laws, and pass the CHR Charter to strengthen institutional protection. The Judiciary is encouraged to revisit and strengthen protective writs, such as amparo and habeas data, and to ensure timely access to justice for victims.

The Commission stresses that efforts to address security threats must remain anchored in human rights. Counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism measures must not come at the expense of fundamental freedoms.

“Addressing red-tagging requires sustained, coordinated, and rights-based action across all branches of government, as well as meaningful participation from civil society and other stakeholders,” the CHR underscores. “Ultimately, upholding the dignity, safety, and freedom of human rights defenders is integral to strengthening democratic space and the rule of law.”

Read the Executive Summary, Conclusions, and Recommendations here: https://bit.ly/CHRredtaggingreport2026.

Statement of the Commission on Human Rights calling for urgent action to end red-tagging and protect human rights defenders

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) reiterates its call to eliminate the practice of red-tagging and urges all branches of government to take urgent action to protect fundamental freedoms in the country.

The CHR’s findings and recommendations are drawn from the _National Inquiry on the Current Situation of Human Rights Defenders in the Philippines with a Focus on Incidents of Red-Tagging_ conducted in 2025.

The Inquiry was conducted through a participatory, nationwide process, drawing from public hearings, sworn statements, and expert inputs from government, legal practitioners, civil society, and human rights defenders. Proceedings were held across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao to capture diverse experiences and perspectives, while recognizing limitations in participation and scope.

The Inquiry finds that red-tagging persists as a pattern of labeling individuals and groups as “communists,” “terrorists,” or “enemies of the State,” often without due process and through public and online platforms. Those affected include journalists, lawyers, students, labor leaders, Indigenous Peoples, and community organizers engaged in advocacy and civic work, as well as those voicing legitimate dissent on government policies.

The CHR underscores that red-tagging is not a harmless label. It creates a real and well-founded risk of harm. It exposes individuals to threats, harassment, and violence, and may serve as a precursor to grave human rights violations, including arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings.

The Inquiry further shows that red-tagging undermines the rights to life, liberty, security, expression, and association. It creates a chilling effect on dissent and weakens democratic participation. Despite existing legal remedies, the absence of a specific law penalizing red-tagging results in fragmented protection and limited accountability.

In response, the CHR calls for urgent and coordinated action across all branches of government.

The Executive is urged to adopt a comprehensive policy prohibiting red-tagging and to strengthen mechanisms that ensure prompt and impartial investigation of violations. The Legislative branch is called upon to enact a law that clearly defines and penalizes red-tagging, review existing counter-terrorism laws, and pass the CHR Charter to strengthen institutional protection. The Judiciary is encouraged to revisit and strengthen protective writs, such as amparo and habeas data, and to ensure timely access to justice for victims.

The Commission stresses that efforts to address security threats must remain anchored in human rights. Counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism measures must not come at the expense of fundamental freedoms.

“Addressing red-tagging requires sustained, coordinated, and rights-based action across all branches of government, as well as meaningful participation from civil society and other stakeholders,” the CHR underscores. “Ultimately, upholding the dignity, safety, and freedom of human rights defenders is integral to strengthening democratic space and the rule of law.”

Read the Executive Summary, Conclusions, and Recommendations here: https://bit.ly/CHRredtaggingreport2026.

05/05/2026

CHR @ 39: Standing with Filipinos through crises and change

As the Philippines confronts complex and overlapping crises, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) marks its 39th Founding Anniversary on 5 May 2026 with the theme, “Komisyon sa mga Karapatang Pantao: Maaasahan sa Krisis at mga Hamon ng Panahon.” Grounded in the belief that dignity belongs to all, the CHR underscores its role in advancing the full spectrum of rights, civil, political, economic, social, and cultural, that matter both in moments of urgency and in the everyday lives of Filipinos.

To translate this commitment into practice, recent initiatives reflect the CHR’s thrust to advance a human rights-based approach in policies and practices, particularly those carried out by the State as duty-bearer. This approach ensures equal access to rights for all and places the most marginalized at the center of action.

The work of the CHR under the 6th Commission en banc has since diversified, spanning sustained efforts on food security through multi-stakeholder dialogues, climate justice, emerging technologies and their human rights implications, and business and human rights, including the promotion of corporate accountability and responsible conduct that respects human dignity.

At the same time, the CHR reaffirms its commitment to protecting human rights defenders and civil liberties. Through the release of the Executive Summary, Conclusions, and Recommendations of the 2025 National Inquiry on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders in the Philippines, with a focus on red-tagging, the Commission identifies concrete measures to close gaps in existing safeguards. These include clarifying the definition and elements of red-tagging, and addressing fragmented protection, weak accountability, and barriers to justice.

The CHR has also continued its important work on press freedom and media safety, recognizing journalists as human rights defenders and strengthening mechanisms to protect them from threats both online and offline.

Bridging grassroots impact and global advocacy

Over the past year, the 6th Commission en banc has translated its mandate into concrete action. To broaden access to justice, the CHR partnered with the Supreme Court in launching the Unified Legal Aid Service (ULAS), a digital platform linking marginalized Filipinos with pro bono legal support.

Simultaneously, the CHR intensified its sectoral advocacies. As the country’s Gender Ombud, the Commission ramped up its gender and development campaigns, highlighting this commitment on the global stage. The CHR actively represented the Philippines at the United Nations, highlighting the obstacles to justice for women and girls at the 70th Commission on the Status of Women Session, defending Indigenous lands at the UN Expert Mechanism, and advocating for a legally binding treaty for older persons in Geneva.

These global engagements are mirrored by community initiatives, including the youth suffrage caravan and monitoring the impacts of climate change on Indigenous knowledge, systems, and practices to name a few, which amplify the voices of vulnerable but critical sectors. Across these efforts, the CHR continues to link local realities with global human rights standards, ensuring that no sector is left behind.

In all of this, CHR recognizes and extends its gratitude to the CHR workforce. Whether in the field or behind the scenes, their work sustains the Commission’s mandate.

As it approaches its 40th year, the CHR remains committed to one clear mandate: to stand with Filipinos, especially the most vulnerable, and ensure that dignity and rights are protected in every moment of crisis and beyond. # # #

26/04/2026

Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on the armed clash in Negros Occidental

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expresses grave concern over the reported armed encounter on 19 April 2026 in Barangay Salamanca, Toboso, Negros Occidental, which resulted in the death of at least nineteen (19) individuals, including student leader Alyssa Alano and community journalist RJ Nichole Ledesma.

The CHR, through its office in the Negros Island Region, has initiated an independent investigation. Information from local human rights advocates prompted coordination with civil society organizations, local authorities, and security forces, including working with the families for the retrieval of the remains in Toboso and Escalante.

The Commission notes the inconsistencies in the identities of those dead. While the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) maintains that the casualties were members of an armed group, other organizations assert that some victims, including Alano and Ledesma, were civilians engaged in community work. Either of the claims require thorough, independent verification. Determination of status, circumstances of engagement, and proportionality must be based on verifiable facts and due process. In case of doubt, persons shall be presumed civilians.

We note that core obligations under International Humanitarian Law (IHL), even in the context of non-international armed conflict, remain: Parties must distinguish between combatants/fighters and civilians/civilians objects. Indiscriminate attacks are prohibited, and civilians are protected unless they directly participate in hostilities.

Allegation of unlawful killing or violation of IHL and human rights law require prompt, effective, impartial, and independent investigation, and accountability where violation is established.

Further, the CHR is concerned about reports that, due to the incident, over a hundred families were displaced. The Commission calls on authorities to ensure adequate humanitarian assistance, protection from further displacement, and access to basic services, in line with human rights and humanitarian standards.

The Commission calls on all parties to cooperate fully with the CHR investigation, preserve evidence, ensure unimpeded access to information and sites, and comply strictly with IHL and human rights standards.

This incident underscores the continuing human cost of armed conflict, particularly in marginalized communities such as those in Negros. Addressing the root causes of conflict, which include poverty, inequality, and land issues, remain essential to sustainable peace, grounded in strict adherence to human rights and IHL.

We urge the public to remain vigilant, discerning, and committed to the pursuit of truth, justice, and accountability.

Link: https://chr.gov.ph/2026/statements/statement-of-the-commission-on-human-rights-on-the-armed-clash-in-negros-occidental/