The New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Jan. 16 reported that the administration of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has “failed to address past and ongoing violations.”
The group’s World Report 2025: Our Annual Review of Human Rights Around the Globe highlighted continued extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and harassment of critics, as well as the administration’s refusal to cooperate with international accountability mechanisms.
HRW documented the persistence of drug-related extrajudicial killings, reporting 332 deaths between Jan. and Nov. 15, 2024.
These deaths, attributed to police operations and unidentified assailants, brought the total number of drug-related killings to 841 since Marcos assumed office in July 2022.
“While President Marcos sent a positive message that he intends to address serious human rights concerns in the Philippines, he needs to match his words with action,” said Bryony Lau, HRW’s deputy Asia director.
Congressional hearings last year revealed explosive allegations about the Duterte administration’s direct involvement in these killings.
Testimonies implicated former President Rodrigo Duterte and senior police officials in the murders of suspected drug lords and political critics, while Duterte admitted to running a “death squad” during his tenure as mayor of Davao City.
HRW reported that enforced disappearances under the Marcos administration have continued, with 14 cases documented since 2022.
Four new cases emerged in 2024, including the abduction of James Jimenez, a relative of a communist leader, and his friend Felix Salaveria Jr. in August.
Red-tagging—accusing activists, journalists, and civil society organizations of ties to communist insurgents—remains a significant threat.
“The practice threatens the right to life, liberty, and security,” HRW noted, citing a Supreme Court ruling in May 2024 that defined red-tagging as a human rights violation.
The group also criticized the government’s use of the Anti-Terror Act to target critics, with several activists charged for alleged terrorist financing.
The Philippines continues to be one of the deadliest countries in the world for journalists.
HRW acknowledged some progress, such as the surrender of former Palawan governor Joel Reyes in September 2024 over the 2011 killing of journalist Gerry Ortega, and the conviction of a gunman involved in the 2022 murder of radio broadcaster Percival Mabasa.
However, unresolved cases, such as the alleged mastermind of Mabasa’s murder, and ongoing threats against journalists highlight a lack of systemic accountability.
HRW also noted the detention of Tacloban-based community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio, who has been in police custody since 2020 on dubious charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
Impunity for “drug war” abuses remains widespread, HRW said, with only seven police officers convicted since 2018.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) continues its investigation into crimes against humanity committed during Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, but the Marcos administration has refused to cooperate.
“The government must deliver accountability for abuses committed in the ‘war on drugs’ and other extrajudicial killings,” HRW said, urging the international community to press the Philippines for action.
HRW highlighted legislative inaction on key human rights issues, including anti-discrimination laws, civil partnerships for same-sex couples, and the long-delayed legalization of divorce.
While a government summit in July discussed potential reforms to the country’s drug policies, HRW questioned the administration’s commitment to addressing the systemic brutality underpinning the “war on drugs.”
HRW’s World Report 2025: Our Annual Review of Human Rights Around the Globe examined human rights practices in over 100 countries.
Executive Director Tirana Hassan’s introductory essay described a global trend of governments suppressing dissent and cracking down on political opponents.
In the Philippines, HRW concluded that the administration’s failure to confront systemic abuses and deliver justice for past atrocities undermines its human rights agenda.