Human Rights and the Environment: A Crisis in the Philippines on

As the world commemorated International Human Rights Day on December 10, urgent calls for justice resonated across the Philippines, shedding light on the nation’s worsening human rights and environmental crises. While international allies such as France and Germany renewed pressure for reforms, local rights groups and environmental advocates decried the government’s inadequate response to systemic issues, including the plight of human rights defenders and marginalized communities.

The Makakalikasan Nature Party Philippines led the charge, emphasizing the inseparable link between protecting nature and safeguarding human dignity. “The destruction of nature is a violation of human rights. It deprives people of their right to clean air, safe drinking water, and sustainable livelihoods. Justice for the environment is justice for all,” the group stated in its official message.

Adding to this, Roy Jerusalem Cabonegro, President of Makakalikasan Nature Party Philippines and 2025 Senatorial Candidate for the DPP (Democratic Party of the Philippines)-Makakalikasan Party Alliance, highlighted the urgency of defending nature as an essential component of human rights. “Defending nature is defending human rights. It is about asserting the rights of future generations to inherit a livable planet. To harm nature is to harm ourselves, and to exploit the environment is to exploit the very communities who depend on it the most,” he said. Cabonegro also stressed the collective responsibility of nations and citizens to reverse the tide of environmental destruction.

Makakalikasan further underscored the systemic threats faced by environmental defenders and vulnerable communities, noting, “Our fight for the environment is a fight for life itself. Every tree we save, every river we protect, and every life we defend stands as an act of resistance against oppression and inequality.” The party called for urgent reforms to address land-grabbing, industrial pollution, and corporate overreach that have exacerbated climate impacts across the country.

The Philippines remains the deadliest country in Asia for environmental defenders, with 298 activists murdered between 2012 and 2023, according to Global Witness. This figure represents 64% of the total killings in the region during that period. “These numbers are not just statistics; they are a call to action,” Makakalikasan declared.

Grassroots resistance persists despite these dangers. In Misamis Oriental, fisherfolk from Tambobong and Balacanas were forcibly relocated to make way for a coal-fired power plant, stripping them of access to their traditional fishing grounds. “These communities are on the frontline of both environmental destruction and human rights violations,” Makakalikasan noted. “Their courage inspires us to keep fighting for systemic change.”

The Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ) also echoed these sentiments, asserting, “Without climate justice, no society can achieve the fulfillment of human rights.” PMCJ linked environmental destruction to systemic inequities, highlighting the plight of indigenous groups like the Tboli tribe of Lake Sebu, Cotabato, who face displacement and violence due to an open-pit mining project encroaching on their ancestral lands. The unresolved killing of their leader, Datu Victor Danyan, in 2017 remains a grim reminder of the risks faced by defenders of land and environment.

Makakalikasan called attention to other affected communities, such as the Anglao clan of the Manobo-Pulangiyon tribe in Bukidnon. Despite being issued a Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title in 2023, the Anglao remain denied access to their land by a corporate pineapple plantation. “The persistent denial of ancestral rights is both an environmental and human rights issue,” Makakalikasan emphasized.

Similarly, the Sandag clan of the Blaan tribe in Sarangani struggles with health hazards and land encroachment caused by a coal-fired power plant operated by the Sarangani Energy Corporation. “Living adjacent to industrial facilities like coal plants is not just an environmental issue—it is a health and human rights crisis,” the party noted.

Makakalikasan’s voice resonates even in the broader fight for climate justice. “Climate justice is human justice. The fight for a just transition to clean energy is a fight for peace, dignity, and the future of humanity,” the party reiterated. They criticized reliance on performative “greenwashing” initiatives and urged the government to prioritize real, systemic solutions that address both ecological and social inequities.

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) called for stronger protections for activists and decisive action against systemic abuses. “The defense of human rights is not a crime,” the CHR emphasized, urging state actors to prioritize justice and accountability. Yet, rights groups criticized the Marcos administration for prioritizing “PR gimmicks” over substantive reforms. Human Rights Watch and other organizations pointed to unresolved killings from the war on drugs and the lack of systemic measures to address root causes of inequality and violence.

International allies have also weighed in. France and Germany reiterated the need for “concrete and measurable actions” to protect democratic institutions and human rights defenders. Their joint statement emphasized the importance of addressing both historical and ongoing violations in the Philippines to uphold the principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Makakalikasan underscored the urgency of international solidarity in the fight for justice. “As the Philippines battles intersecting crises, we must call on global leaders to act decisively. This is not just about one country—it is about our shared humanity,” they stated.

The PMCJ emphasized that the intersection of climate and human rights must remain a priority. “We stand in solidarity with marginalized communities who face displacement, loss of income, and exposure to climate-related disasters,” they declared. However, Makakalikasan countered that “the fight begins at home,” urging the Philippine government to bridge the gap between rhetoric and action.

As the world commemorated International Human Rights Day, Makakalikasan issued a stark reminder: “This is not just a day of remembrance. It is a day to demand accountability, justice, and genuine action for the environment and the people.”

From fisherfolk displaced by coal plants to indigenous tribes fighting for ancestral lands, the struggles of Philippine communities highlight the critical intersection of human rights and environmental justice. As Makakalikasan concluded, “Only by addressing the shared foundations of human and environmental rights can we build a society that upholds justice for all.”

Art credit: Alejandro Ospina

Related