According to its lead convenor, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, Makatao will take on the mantle of human rights defenders in the halls of Congress by creating and expediting “quality human rights legislation” and acting as a brake on laws that curtail human rights. Zarate said the coalition should be part of a broader movement to resist a crackdown on human rights. “The cause to defend human rights is not a crime. Human rights activism is not terrorism. [To be a] human rights defender is a noble cause because we are fighting for the cause of our people,” the lawmaker said.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer March 19, 2018 22:56 UTC