Forst noted instances of human rights violations, including efforts of some government officials to defame human rights defenders critical of the Duterte administration. In doing so, the government should recognize the specific needs and circumstances of groups of defenders facing high risks, such as women human rights defenders, indigenous human rights defenders, land and environmental rights defenders and journalists,” it added. Forst also recommended additional support for the Commission on Human Rights, including provision of specific resources dedicated to the security and protection of human rights defenders. Information from Front Line Defenders noted that 60 killings of human rights defenders were recorded in the Philippines in 2017 alone. He cited the Human Security Act of 2007, which he said was used to tag human rights defenders as terrorists.

Source: Philippine Star December 19, 2018 16:00 UTC