[Statement] of CHR Spokesperson on the alleged ‘forced’ public apology order on University of the East’s campus paper chief

06 April 2020 The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) denounces the alleged repressive actions against Joshua B. Molo, Editor-in-Chief of The Dawn, the official campus paper of the University of the East. On his personal social media account, the student journalist expressed his criticisms on how the government is handling the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19…

[Statement] The Image Publication, the Official Student Publication of Occidental Mindoro State College, stands with Mr. Molo, EIC of UE Dawn

Last April 5, 2020, University of the East (UE) Dawn’s Editor-in-Chief Joshua Molo was allegedly forced to choose between two options: to voluntarily sign a waiver that he will not post any anti-government sentiment again and issue a public apology or face arrest and detention. The “choices” were given when Molo’s former teachers filed a…

[Statement] On the recent harassment of UE Dawn’s editor-in-chief for posting opinion on the government’s inaction towards COVID-19 pandemic- The Guild

The Guilds strongly condemn this kind of harassment to Joshua Molo, editor-in-chief of the University of the East’s Dawn, after he has been subjected to threats by his former teachers and the responding officials of Cabiao, Nueva Ecija where he resides. Mr. Molo was forced to publicly apologize after a former high school teacher cried…

[Statement] Children’s Rights must be respected at all times even in containing the COVID-19 virus -CLRDC

The Children’s Legal Rights and Development Center (CLRDC), an organization that promotes child protection and restorative justice, recognizes the threat posed by COVID-19 to nations around the world. The magnitude of the public health, economic, and social impacts of the COVID-19 global pandemic led to the Philippine government’s proclamation of a state of a public…

[Statement] #FreeSanRoque21 -CTUHR

“We are calling for the immediate and unconditional release of the #SanRoque21. Their grievance for food and aid is legitimate, just and should be immediately addressed. The Duterte administration should see the spontaneous protest for what it really is, not an attempt to destabilize or defy the government or a simple show of Filipinos’ ‘katigasan…

[Statement] The Government has the Money, the People are Weary and Lost So Much, Where is the Subsidy? -KILUSAN

We need timely but urgent responses from the National government to fight back against the threat posed by the pandemic COVID-19. Since March 16 the whole of Luzon was subject to Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), many communities have yet to receive any assistance— especially food assistance and employment assistance—both promised before the passage of Bayanihan…

[Statement] Digital surveillance to fight COVID-19 can only be justified if it respects human rights -AI

With governments across the world rapidly expanding the use of digital surveillance in an attempt to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, Amnesty International and other leading NGOs have set out strict conditions that must be met to safeguard human rights and prevent surveillance overreach. More than 100 hundred civil society groups joined Amnesty in signing the…

[Statement] No to criminalization of free speech -NUJP

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines denounces the criminalization of free speech and expression by the National Bureau of Investigation as disclosed by human rights lawyer Chel Diokno. News reports quoted Diokno as saying he had taken on the case of a netizen who had been subpoenaed by the National Bureau of Investigation…

[Statement] BMP condemns arrest of QC protestors

The Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino condemns the arrest and dispersal of urban poor residents of Sitio San Roque, who were holding a noise barrage near their community along EDSA this morning. The residents were seeking for food and assistance from the government. In this time of crisis, food and state assistance are just and legitimate…

[Joint Statement] ASEAN urged to heed UN Sec-Gen call for ceasefire, ensure human rights amid COVID19

Southeast Asian states should heed the call for a global ceasefire, ensure conflict sensitivity and human rights in responding to COVID19 crisis We the undersigned civil society organisations and individuals, strongly urge the Member-States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to heed the call of the UN Secretary-General António Guterres for immediate global…

[Statement] More Filipinos are turning to social media to vent their frustrations about the government’s response to stop the spread of COVID-19 -HRonlinePH

The Human Rights Online Philippines share the concern of a public school teacher in General Santos City, as she expressed her frustrations on Facebook over the local government’s measures that many people are going hungry amid a lockdown in said city. https://www.rappler.com/nation/256157-teacher-son-arrested-without-warrant-general-santos-city-facebook-post-coronavirus Juliet Espinosa, a 55-year-old public school teacher was arrested by police in General…

[Statement] Mandatory hazard pay for workers exempted from the community quarantine, urged -CTUHR

Almost 2 weeks have passed since President Duterte placed Luzon under an Enhanced Community Quarantine to prevent the spread of COVID-19, causing work stoppage and suspension of mass transportation. Amid the current crisis, the Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR) expresses great concern for our health workers and frontliners who continue to face…