Altermidya
After meeting several groups and government agencies in the past days in Metro Manila, UN Special Rapporteur on the freedom of expression Irene Khan traveled to Northern Luzon to meet with civil society organizations, media groups, and human rights advocates at the Baguio City Hall on Friday, January 26.
Highlights of the dialogue facilitated by Ms Khan include concrete manifestations of the dangers of red-tagging, with community leaders from various parts of North Luzon reporting how they are first targeted due to their opposition to certain local and national policies, then receive worse attacks. These include aerial bombings of rural communities in the region.
Several participants in the dialogue with the UNSR also testified how the Anti-Terrorism Law, intended for bolstering national security, has instead fostered a climate of fear and repression. Its vague and expansive interpretations have led to its misuse against dissenters and critics, significantly stifling free expression and posing a direct threat to lives and livelihoods.
Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) leaders Windel Bolinget, Sarah Abellon-Alikes, Jennifer Awingan-Taggaoa, and Stephen Tauli – dubbed as the “Cordillera 4” narrated the dire ramifications of the Anti-Terrorism Council’s move to designate them as terrorists, in effect freezing their assets and endangering their persons.
The strategic exploitation of libel and cyber-libel laws to silence dissent and suppress criticism was also highlighted. The cases of indigenous peoples’ rights leader Sarah Dekdeken, journalists Kimberly Quitasol of Northern Dispatch and Frank Cimatu were cited as examples of how these laws are leveraged against those who dare to speak truth to power.
Several groups also questioned Baguio City’s posturing as a “safe haven” for free expression. The group Tongtongan ti Umili submitted a report to UNSR Khan revealing increasing police repression during political demonstrations and the restrictions on political rallies in city parks.
Tongtongan also cited the City Tourism Office’s ban against political art during the Session Road Sunday Pedestrianization.
Meanwhile, the CPA highlighted the undermining of indigenous peoples’ rights, especially concerning the free prior and informed consent (FPIC) process connected to big-ticket infrastructure projects such as dams, of which several are being constructed throughout Northern Philippines. The presence of military forces and the labeling of dissenters as armed rebels during the FPIC process has instilled fear and curtailed the rights of indigenous communities, the CPA reported.
The meeting with UNSR Khan was a critical platform for journalists and activists to unite, share their experiences, and advocate for systemic change. It served as an opportunity to emphasize the urgent need for legal reforms, policy shifts, and a renewed commitment to protecting human rights and upholding democratic values.
As the dialogue concluded, talks on the importance of the continuation of the stalled peace negotiations between the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines in the practice of free expression were tackled.
With the narrowing space for free expression and opinion in Northern Philippines, civic leaders, journalists, and human rights advocates who met with the UNSR all called for the urgent repealing of the Anti-Terrorism Law, stopping red-tagging attacks, decriminalization of libel, and introducing more effective mechanisms for the protection of human rights defenders. #
