Map of the week

Human rights in the Philippines

Widespread human rights violations in the Philippines, combined with high levels of corruption and a climate of impunity, create considerable reputational and operational risks for companies operating in, or sourcing from the country. According to Maplecroft’s latest Country Risk Report on the Philippines, such risks are heightened for firms who are obliged to work closely with the government, with political parties or with the security services. For instance, in many parts of the country, state security forces, insurgent groups, private armies and paramilitaries are widely reported to use excessive force against opponents, and allegations of torture, extrajudicial killings and disappearances are commonplace. Furthermore, influential politicians have used assassinations to eliminate rivals, and to silence critical journalists and human rights and labour activists. There is also an on-going lack of respect for the land and rights of indigenous peoples. Challenges also persist in relation to women’s rights and to claims to equality under the law. These problems are all compounded by a lack of access to remedy in the Philippines, in part due to high levels of corruption in the judicial system.