PH tops Asia in environmentalist killings for 13th year, ranks 3rd globally

Adrian Maravillas

The Philippines remained the deadliest country in Asia for land and environmental defenders for the 13th consecutive years, after the climate justice watchdog Global Witness recorded 12 killings in the country in 2025.

Six were reported as members of indigenous communities, three were marginalized farmers, one was a journalist, and two were unspecified.

In the report, released on September 16, the country had the third-highest number of killings worldwide, tied with Honduras.

According to the group, the 12 cases in 2025 involved Ali Jejhon Macalintal, Davie Ugking, Fernando Promboy, Hulyo Agtay, Joan Escuadro, Juan Sumilhig, Nickasio, Tayas Mindo, Ramon Lupos, Rico Malubay, Rudolph Dela Cruz Espe, Veronico Anterio, and Warlita Jimenez.

Veronico Anterio, a 65-year-old farmer, was reportedly shot for opposing the establishment of military groups in Samar, the watchdog said in the report.

Environmentalists vs gov’t actions

Global Witness claimed most environmental defenders were abused over the government’s counterinsurgency programs and extractive projects.

With five reported deaths involving the military, Global Witness said rural militarization has enabled the army to suppress locals and used “red-tagging” to brand environmental activists as insurgents.

“Global Witness linked five of those killings to the armed forces, showing how, when attempts to criminalize defenders fail, the military reverts to more direct attacks,” Indigenous Peoples’ Rights International Executive Director Joan Carling said.

Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment, an environmental group, demanded government accountability for the attacks while condemning allegations against environmentalists.

“The right to defend the land is the right to defend life. The right to protest is a fundamental right, never a crime,” the group said.

Despite the arrest of five protesters last September 10, environmental groups continue to raise concerns about government programs, such as Pax Silica.

From 2012 to 2025, the nation recorded 318 killings and disappearances, marking the third-highest total in the Global Witness’s statistics.