TO THE EDITOR
Philstar Global Corporation
Transmitted via Electronic Mail:
July 2, 2024
Dear Editor,
We, the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) in Canada, are writing in response to Ambassador David Hartman’s article “Celebrating 75 years of Canada-Philippines kinship” (Opinion, 7/1/23). While the ambassador’s celebration of bilateral ties is understandable, this relationship needs a critical examination, especially given Canada’s new Indo-Pacific Strategy.
ICHRP-Canada is deeply concerned about ongoing human rights violations under the past Duterte administration and continuing to deteriorate under Marcos Jr. government. These include extrajudicial killings, attacks on press freedom, red-tagging and the persecution of activists and human rights defenders. We also highlighted the systematic rewriting of history to erase past crimes and the vicious counterinsurgency campaign that violates international humanitarian law.
The article praises Canadian mining investments but fails to address the environmental damage and indigenous rights violations often associated with these operations in the Philippines. The mining sites are often militarized and surveilled by Philippine police and armed forces, who crack down on indigenous communities and land defenders protesting these operations. Similarly, while Filipino immigration to Canada is highlighted as a success, the potential exploitation of Filipino workers, particularly in the caregiver program and by various recruitment agencies in Canada, are overlooked.
Moreover, Canada’s complicity in human rights violations through funding counter-terrorism programs via ASEAN and joint military training with the Armed Forces of the Philippines indirectly supports the Philippine government’s brutal war on dissent. This raises serious questions about the nature of military cooperation and development assistance.
We are also deeply concerned about the implications of the current negotiation on the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). The VFA could draw the Philippines into conflicts, primarily serving US interests rather than Philippine national security. The VFA can set a precedent for military cooperation that could potentially infringe on Philippine sovereignty and complicate human rights accountability. As Canada strengthens its relationship with the Philippines, it must ensure agreements respect human rights and do not shield personnel from local jurisdiction.
Canada should prioritize human rights in its engagement with the Philippines. This includes conducting regular human rights impact assessments, consulting with civil society, ensuring transparent reporting, and creating policies that focus on the needs of the impoverished majority in the Philippines. Canada should leverage its influence to push for improvements in the Philippines’ human rights record under the current administration.
The Indo-Pacific Strategy must not place economic and security interests above human rights. A balanced approach is necessary to ensure Canada’s influence in the region supports and protects human rights, respects Philippine sovereignty, and upholds the Filipino people’s right to self-determination.
While the article has centred on achievements – in considering human rights, what specifically has been achieved? A genuine partnership requires addressing these challenges openly and committing to concrete improvements that benefit the Filipino people, not just state and corporate interests. For this partnership to thrive in the next 75 years and beyond, it must have human rights at its core, reflected in substantive and verifiable actions.
Sincerely,
Luthfi Mawarid, Chairperson
International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines-Canada (ICHRP-Canada)