International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) is calling on President Rodrigo Duterteto to stop the attacks against Filipino activists. We are demanding the immediate and unconditional release of the now 62 union leaders, farmers, media workers, human rights defenders and political activists recently arrested in Metro Manila and Central Philippines. 

Offices and homes of legal organisations were simultaneously raided last October 31 in Bacolod City and Metro Manila resulting in the mass arrest of 59 activists. In a similar raid last November 5, three more activists were arbitrarily arrested in their office bringing the number of detained activists to 62. All of the search warrants that led to the recent crackdown were issued by a regional trial court all signed by Executive Judge Cecilyn Burgos-Villavert. It follows a similar pattern of attacks wherein unionists, organizers and activists are arrested with the aid of faulty warrants and planting of evidence during raids. 

In this light, ICHRP calls on the United Nations Human Rights Council to pursue its special investigation of the human rights abuses taking place in the Philippines. 

Lastly, we are calling on the peace-loving peoples of the world to stand with the Filipino activists and condemn the human rights violations happening in the Philippines.