“The criminalization of activists and rights defenders is apparently the standing mandate of all agencies of government, regardless of whoever is appointed – from the Justice Department, the military, the police, and down to the local government. This practice of lumping together the names and pictures of progressives and labeling them as “terrorists” to justify violations against said individuals is becoming more commonplace under the Duterte regime. Truly, there is a repression spectrum with which this regime is employing without any hesitation,” said Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay.
(Photo courtesy of Karapatan-Negros)