Corruption and fascism escalates under BBM, but resistance intensifies
International Human Rights Day
This International Human Rights Day, we want to recognize the contributions of human right defenders around the world and especially those fighting for human rights in the Philippines.
In September and November, thousands took to the streets in the Philippines against corruption and hundreds were arrested and faced vicious cruel police brutality.
Throughout the year, we’ve seen the release of 8 Filipino migrants, through the efforts of their loved ones, advocates, and Tanggol Migrante Movement.
In November, Julie Jamora, Malaya USA’s Secretary General, was denied entry into the Philippines in November 2025 and was placed on the blacklist due to her role as a community leader and human rights activist.
Bongbong Marcos’ 2025 was defined by a failed mid-term elections campaign that exposed his waning political power in the face of the Dutertes’ continued popularity. His approval rating dipped to 21% amid flood control corruption scandals that have exposed allegations of his own criminal involvement. He intensified the US-directed counterinsurgency by unleashing the so-called “National Action Plan for Unity, Peace and Development” (NAP-UPD) and allowed for even more foreign military presence under the guise of “security”. All the while, the Philippine economy has worsened and seen the value of the peso drop to multiple historic lows and pushed more people into instability, poverty, and hunger.
BBM’s NAP-UPD is a continuation of the Duterte-era “whole of nation” counterinsurgency project. The NAP-UPD has increased human rights abuses and violations of International humanitarian law (IHL), according to Karapatan and DAHAS
134 extrajudicial killings
5 incidents of massacres
696 total political prisoners, 163 arrested under Marcos Jr
10M+ victims of red-tagging
57,156 victims of bombings
14 victims of enforced disappearances
822 victims of illegal arrests
227 victims of terror laws
250 drug-related victims
Typhoons have slammed the Philippines, and corruption caused hundreds of preventable deaths. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC):
345 were killed from the 5 deadliest typhoons from this year
142 are still missing
In the United States, migrants are facing fascist attacks from the Trump regime. They are terrorized by a heavily militarized and unchecked security force in ICE, and in some instances, the National Guard. Progressive organizations and individuals are also being targeted.
A record number of 61,000 individuals in detention (as of August 2025)
400,000 have been deported since Trump came into office
20 people have died in detention
As members of the Tanggol Migrante Movement, we’ve seen incredible victories: the release of Kuya Max Londonio, Lynn Dixon, and Malaya Georgia member Alma Bowman. But we’re seeing more of our kababayan be detained, and in many cases deported. Filipino seafarers working on cruises are targeted, slapped with trumped up charges, and subsequently deported in the hundreds back to the Philippines. The unjust detention of Filipino activist, photojournalist, and DACA recipient, Ya’aakub Ira is a clear case of political repression.
Gina Apostol, Malaya New York member and award-winning novelist, wrote in the New York Times this month “But the mirror Duterte’s arrest holds up to Americans is that resistance matters. I never felt helpless when I was on the streets of Manila in the ’80s, despite the tear gas, water cannons and rifles aimed at us. I experienced and believe in people power. If we demand our rights, call out the president’s lies, value professional integrity, protect each other, act for our neighbors — if we resist, as Filipinos have, then and now — we can bend a dark arc toward justice.”
Let this be a rallying cry to all of us: rise up and fight back against fascism together, wherever it comes to roost - under BBM’s present rule, the Dutertes’ pursuit for more power, and Trump.
Take part in International Human Rights Day Actions today and participate in the Defend Migrants Alliance National Week of Action: defendmigrantworkers.org/weekofaction
