Philippines Ranks Deadliest for Land Rights Activists
The Philippines remains a perilous arena for environment activists, farmers, and indigenous peoples defending their land rights. According to a Malaysia-based international advocacy network, the country is the deadliest in Asia for those involved in land rights struggles.
The Pesticide Action Network Asia Pacific (Panap), a coalition of environmental justice and sustainable agriculture advocates, reported that the Philippines topped the list in Asia with six fatalities linked to land conflicts last year. Globally, the country ranked second only to Mexico, where five such deaths were recorded.
Alarming Human Rights Violations Amid Land Conflicts
Beyond the killings, Panap documented 10 cases of arrests, detentions, and legal persecution tied to land disputes in 2023. Additionally, the network recorded nine instances of threats and harassment, along with 11 cases of physical assault targeting land rights defenders.
These findings are part of Panap’s 2024 report titled Land & Rights Watch, which compiles human rights violations occurring in communities facing land grabbing and related conflicts. The full report is scheduled for release this month.
Questioning Government Commitment to Human Rights
“These alarming numbers cast doubt on the Philippine government’s claimed commitment to human rights and international humanitarian law,” said Arnold Padilla, Panap’s Deputy Executive Director, in a statement shared by community members.
This revelation comes as the Philippines hosts a major international humanitarian law (IHL) conference for the Asia Pacific region. The event gathers approximately 120 delegates from over 30 countries to discuss challenges in implementing IHL and integrating humanitarian principles into policy and legislation.
Padilla added, “President Marcos Jr.’s administration aims to present the Philippines as a regional champion of human rights through hosting the IHL regional conference. However, the increasingly repressive political environment experienced by Filipino farmers, farm workers, indigenous peoples, and other rural sectors—and their advocates—paints a very different picture.”
Case Highlight: Indigenous Farmer Killed
Panap highlighted the killing of Juan Sumilhig, an indigenous Maranao farmer, who was reportedly shot dead on August 1 by members of the Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Battalion in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro. This case exemplifies the grave dangers faced by land rights defenders.
Panap’s Regional Network and Global Reach
Based in Penang, Malaysia, Panap consists of 109 organizations across the Asia Pacific region. It collaborates with over 400 civil society and grassroots groups worldwide to monitor and respond to land and environmental rights violations.
For more news and updates on land rights struggles, visit Filipinokami.com.
