ILOILO CITY – Amnesty International Philippines is alarmed over alleged growing impunity in the Visayas and insignificant progress in addressing human rights concerns.

“What we are witnessing is the normalization of violence and impunity. Communities are displaced, human rights defenders are threatened, and ordinary people lose their homes and livelihoods, but accountability is absent,” said Ritz Lee Santos III, Amnesty International Philippines section director, during the presentation of the Amnesty International Report 2025/26 here on Tuesday, May 19, with Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Regional Director for Western Visayas Atty. Jonnie Dabuco, Atty. Raffy Pajares of the Environmental Legal Assistance Center (ELAC), and UP Visayas Student Council Chairman Aljo Benedicto.

The report cited various human rights issues – growing militarization and red-tagging which have led to deadly clashes in the Visayas, among them the April 19 clash in Toboso, Negros Occidental where suspected NPA rebels and civilians were killed; the arrest of activists and the conviction of journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio in Leyte for alleged terrorism financing;

The displacement of native Ati people in Boracay Island in Aklan; the negative impact to fishermen in Iloilo of the entry of commercial fishing boats in municipal waters, and the displacement of livelihood due to redevelopment of public markets in Iloilo City and Cebu City.

“Impunity and corruption are not abstract issues. They determine whether families can eat, children can go to school, or communities survive disasters. Corruption is a product of the lack of accountability and so are crimes against humanity,” Santos said.

“This government must decide now whether it will continue to protect power and privilege or protect the rights of the Filipinos.”