Rights groups criticize PHRAP as PR effort, call for accountability on EJKs

Human rights groups criticized President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for attempting to improve his administration's record on human rights on International Human Rights Day.

Karapatan, ICHRP, and PAHRA demanded accountability for extrajudicial killings and other rights violations during Marcos' presidency, noting that despite the launch of the Philippine Human Rights Action Plan, they view it as a public relations effort rather than a genuine commitment to addressing human rights issues.

The government launched the Philippine Human Rights Action Plan on Tuesday, Dec. 10, which critics say is just an 'ambitious PR gimmick' and cannot cover up ongoing violations.

Rights groups highlighted that there were significant increases in serious human rights violations such as extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances since Marcos took office, with Karapatan documenting 119 cases of EJKs and 14 victims by the end of November.

Critics also pointed out that Marcos continues policies like violent police operations against suspected drug users and uses anti-terror laws against activists, contributing to a militarized approach in dealing with insurgency.