Women human rights defenders have been facing legal challenges filed by the Philippine government. 

Some women face financing terrorism charges, a crime that is punishable with imprisonment of up to 40 years and fines ranging from P500,000 ($8,300) to P1,000,000 ($16,500). The law also mandates the freezing and civil forfeiture of assets of those who are charged with financing terrorism or  the Republic Act No. 10168. 

Some were also arbitrarily designated as terrorists by the Anti-Terrorism Council in virtue of the Anti-Terrorism Law. The civil society organizations, including legal luminaries in the Philippines, are questioning the constitutionality of the said law and criticized the government for using such law against human rights defenders. 

In this series of stories of indigenous women human rights defenders of Cordillera, we give human face to those who were tagged as “terrorists” by the Philippines government. 

Listen to Jennifer Awingan as she narrates her experience about surveillance and the importance of fighting back in this podcast: Episode 1: Jennifer Awingan and her resolve to Indigenous Peoples’ fight for land and rights in the Cordillera 

Hear also the story of staunch defender of indigenous peoples rights and martial law veteran, Joanna Carino, in this podcast: How Joanna Cariño dedicates life to the struggle of Indigenous Peoples 

Trigger warning: Mentions of torture

Read how Sarah Abellon-Alikes push back against a number of judicial harassment against her: Sarah Alikes, a mother and human rights defender 

Graphics by: Aizel Mae Tugalon
Photos by: Carlo Manalansan

DISCLOSURE: Bulatlat produced these stories through a grant from the Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development – Feminist Media Fund for Alumni.