DAVAO CITY (June 12) — As Filipinos marked the country’s 128th Independence Day on Friday, a group of human rights lawyers in Mindanao called on the public to look beyond traditional celebrations and confront what they described as continuing injustices faced by many communities in the region.
In an Independence Day statement, the Union of Peoples’ Lawyers in Mindanao (UPLM) said genuine freedom remains elusive for many Filipinos, particularly Moro, Lumad, and settler communities who continue to grapple with poverty, inequality, land conflicts, and human rights concerns.
The group argued that while the Philippines gained political independence more than a century ago, many forms of oppression persist, especially in areas where communities face displacement, economic hardship, and limited access to justice.
“Freedom is more than the annual raising of a flag. It is a continuing struggle to uphold human dignity, protect fundamental rights, and ensure justice for all,” the lawyers said.
UPLM cited the challenges faced by indigenous Lumad communities defending ancestral lands, workers seeking better wages, and farmers affected by expanding corporate plantations. The organization said these issues reflect broader social and economic inequalities that continue to affect many Filipinos.
The lawyers also expressed concern over what they described as the growing use of legal mechanisms to silence critics and activists through red-tagging, fabricated criminal complaints, and Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs).
According to the group, such practices undermine the rule of law and contribute to a culture of impunity that weakens democratic institutions.
The statement also linked local concerns to global developments, noting that international conflicts and geopolitical tensions can have economic consequences that are often felt most heavily by poor and vulnerable communities.
UPLM renewed calls for accountability from both government officials and private entities accused of committing abuses against communities. The organization also urged authorities to end the filing of what it described as trumped-up charges against activists and political prisoners.
The lawyers drew inspiration from the recent recognition of the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL), which received the 2026 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award for its work defending human rights and civil liberties.
The award, UPLM said, highlights the continuing importance of legal advocacy in protecting marginalized sectors and defending democratic rights. The group also paid tribute to slain lawyers Atty. Juan Macababbad and Atty. Concepcion Brizuela, whom it described as champions of the poor and oppressed.
As the nation commemorated Independence Day, UPLM urged Filipinos to view freedom not merely as a historical achievement but as an ongoing responsibility to defend justice, peace, and human rights.
“For many communities in Mindanao, the struggle for genuine liberation continues,” the group said.
