No significant change in Philippines HR situation – US

MANILA, Philippines — Despite the decrease in cases of extrajudicial killings, there were no significant changes in the human rights situation in the Philippines last year, according to the US State Department.

Based on the US State Department’s 2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, significant human rights issues were reported in the past year, including credible reports of arbitrary or unlawful killings, enforced disappearance, torture, harsh and life-threatening prison conditions and arbitrary detention.

It also cited serious problems with the independence of the judiciary, arbitrary and unlawful interference with privacy, serious abuses in a conflict and unlawful recruitment or use of child soldiers by terrorists and groups in rebellion against the government.

The US State Department also noted serious restrictions on freedom of expression and media freedom, serious government corruption, serious government restrictions on or harassment of domestic human rights organizations, extensive gender-based violence and significant restrictions on workers’ freedom of association.

“The government investigated some reported human rights abuses, including abuses by its security forces and paramilitary forces. Concerns about police impunity remained, given reports of continued extrajudicial killings by police,” according to the report released recently.

“Significant concerns also persisted about impunity for other security forces and civilian national and local government officials,” the report read.

In the report, the US State Department cited cases of arbitrary killings, including that of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and 17-year-old Jemboy Baltazar in Navotas.

“Extrajudicial killings, largely by police but also by other security forces, remained a serious problem. In addition, politically motivated killings, including of journalists, were reported during the year,” it said.

“There were numerous reports of arbitrary or unlawful killings by police in connection with anti-drug operations. The Marcos administration continued the anti-drug campaign – which began under the Duterte administration – albeit with a focus on treatment and rehabilitation, due