Philippine Justice Movement Issues Urgent Call for Human Rights and Judicial Fairness

Introduction: An Urgent Signal for Justice

Today, February 28, 2026, the "Philippine Justice Movement" (PJM), operating in the capital city of Manila, issued an urgent statement regarding the country's human rights situation and the fairness of the law. This statement coincides with the International Criminal Court's (ICC) historic trial of former President Rodrigo Duterte. Movement leaders accused President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s government of making "empty promises," pointing out that oppression and extrajudicial killings continue in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in the southern part of the country [hrw.org](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQGuI6h1f1c9hPcb5OjhuOqVbWORXVNcNajP148lt-TWrnzz8Hlh73jVYhGG9l1-g9Laft-6VrsniZncMJ28FesRk5kv-rkNucYlVSW4o7D-5sgnVJaHZxxkJ_9zfoGiqmk8D87DIDQaCYBIvd7RVfWrNU1UkImcYnYHKWWTyyfNfqurTvha1yywrPDe6YvJHVU=).

The Trial of Duterte and the Delay of Justice

Following the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte in March 2025, the ICC's confirmation of charges hearing took place from February 23 to 27, 2026 [abs-cbn.com](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQE8pZg6bPDx0S3WsdEmSAA9MqbYmfLx0osi5GWByfauWxSpZMkfCssG7MjjTlfRa6B9IpT6H87zwC4DcI_QKqYTcDoykkCyEarYifOZ1qXI4xSaHRyNeSdCDue-63m1BG5SjTYvB6PaqukNGD3p9cmH2xSSVPiudHTce9PSAeuTR6UsP0WLK6tt1VgP7G1t8dL1SN3xrD4v). Duterte is accused of ordering the extrajudicial killing of thousands of people, including many innocent Muslims, during his "War on Drugs." While the Philippine Justice Movement called this trial "the first step toward justice," it criticized the current Marcos administration for protecting criminals within the country.

From an Islamic perspective, justice (Adl) is a pillar of Islam. Muslims in the Philippines have faced systemic marginalization and persecution by the state for many years. The trial of Duterte is not just the punishment of an individual, but the exposure of an entire system of oppression [amnesty.org](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQFcf6NxuaGFV7K2rJZG2d8HaYqVVSq2mFdeThFKDhqTV1BeTG5U5YVoMVUDkm_7NZVHiXzb9bXgEa2Rl7h1zyg2bL2CAI3KCvc741iUZPGxYVr2Q7OjlQDZtoRkNSWPvV2-n40yyGOkg-kNaTsBWPLv3k5k0Sv8IWa_TukL49wFQm5aK16tHArmJcnJKhfLWA5y0Bxlez9FqWIifJkvCapK4qYNx_8GPkRDlO4QAy0anLNQJY-Lt9OBXXs2Qz2zEMI=).

The Marcos Administration and Ongoing Oppression

Although President Marcos Jr. promised to protect human rights upon taking office, the situation has not improved in practice. According to statistics through February 2026, more than 1,100 people have been killed in drug-related operations during the Marcos era [inquirer.net](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQE4d9f3QEnBKoc3iELmE74JNs6D7f3z6cYLMyKbcdROvnYVkfIZnnxe8Ht2EhhRT0kwxYgr6lyfb9jZsiMJlYbkhSe2__1K27nfWRVfIkp9A5UIt5vEcUsmPdzNHFRJA-NkfThTVarb5cy_MxXzb0MU_Wqz1-ENQkRJ2oXFGCj8IKuJ_aIo5ErZGTb7jBIe6KSFPGK24EMELXYs5cQ=). Furthermore, the systematic practice of "red-tagging" activists (accusing them of being communists) and charging them with financing terrorism has become widespread. For example, in January 2026, journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio was unjustly convicted of financing terrorism [amp.ngo](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQEWaWdOmpgX0Jwe0E2RjT_VJE2UnEsdtx3lexdob_oGHBODXWP-WUwByUbogVJcBk0qENcUy0q8z3LoOJQ4sWrYkMwVb1G0-pGpKZZEHZwHSM7saMW01gh6Ys9ZBIlIxIsOYS1KYp-xdeCZMsnonb48QVhHZ40G7zTu70nORaYf0bVL2B85f6WeUztJJey4oDDnXwWlnXmFfw372A2XDuBeBRU=).

These policies are stifling freedom, particularly in areas with high Muslim populations. The Philippine Justice Movement has condemned this as a "new form of state terrorism."

Bangsamoro: Peace Process Under Threat

The most concerning issue for Muslims is the fate of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BARMM). According to reports from February 27, 2026, the Bangsamoro peace process remains "shaky" [mindanews.com](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQG_b9bukAIvpnpUbS4lR7dNNHeAgX9F0jeMunNQeFDnOSWI-zI29WUoaHD_Enxw3Cp2NHIPp2vpi7huck8pbTyziufR-cOJVCOm3CjQqOvhBVifWwf_jhO50FAvksRn6g-4oafLGALPpU0vY5rrkRQjMn6Vm1IyaRdFUiE5WULIWPy7z_FY_xgitbBNmbk=). The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) stated that the government has been slow to implement the peace agreement, noting that negotiations have stalled, particularly due to the absence of a chairperson for the government's peace panel.

During the mid-term elections in May 2025, significant violence occurred in the Bangsamoro region. In fact, 38% of all election-related violence in the country took place in this region [eastasiaforum.org](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQEP83sSE468TOjHzAg-hdTLp7MwAkLYlh62RxTPqw3XClPH7SqPyr-iHUh40sV0JGxlsGpWF7iaiojTwdi-Wpz-V7tuFMZBJiNhBgLureWq36lGyIGUwO_DRXktMWTxPHL5h8O4SFsoh8GhhgtrPfYZXF3Oh8a2gxaY5T-xf5G5rl3xybpKLh7cx4AGc2ATlmH4txe4398s7_uuoLsV_OTJRNELcg==). This situation is undermining the confidence of Muslims in their right to self-determination. The Philippine Justice Movement warned that political forces are behind the armed conflicts and clan feuds (Rido) in Bangsamoro, aimed at fracturing Muslim unity.

Islamic Responsibility and the Duty of the Ummah

The call from the Philippine Justice Movement is not only political but also a moral obligation. In the Holy Quran, Allah says: "O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for Allah, witnesses in justice" (Surah Al-Ma'idah, Verse 8). Remaining silent in the face of the oppression currently faced by our Muslim brothers and sisters in the Philippines is contrary to the spirit of Islamic brotherhood.

More than 125,000 people remain displaced in the south of the country, most of whom are Muslims [reliefweb.int](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQGSWuDQvEuwvLz3QFtFErgiuMJhedGrXDcJspOEhHeh7ybD_5bfEdNEh7F-43qIXFEaqJH64t6c9wXpMj-wnWvnT1H9Ju1VWlLxgTzmsLLPj_sv60OAUum9lRzGsA304u9kahNg0WlsefHEpKGFi_h1CpNd9hdpOmY44U8CGUiBZKiK3vkznNjkSan3xmzIzUhwAHWI0A9OEDmY6eITcLhadznjwKNWki7LiE19s77YSptN5RIkovFAEr8d-cOv-IRXB4Te1g==). Protecting the rights of these individuals and demanding justice for them is in line with the strategic and religious interests of the entire Islamic Ummah. Islamic nations and international organizations must apply pressure to ensure the Philippine government fulfills its promises to the international community.

Conclusion: The Struggle on the Path to Justice

Today's call by the Philippine Justice Movement is vital for the country's future. The trial of former President Duterte is a beginning, but true justice will only be achieved when peace and the rule of law are established in the streets of Bangsamoro and the poor neighborhoods of Manila. The Marcos government must officially end the "War on Drugs," release political prisoners, and remain faithful to the Bangsamoro peace agreement.

As Muslims, we support the struggle for justice in the Philippines and call upon justice-seeking forces around the world to join this urgent call. Justice may be delayed, but it will never be lost.