The series of heavily policed and extended lockdowns in place since March 2020, has failed to contain the spread of COVID-19 and given way to more human rights violations

Large demonstrations were held across the country despite dozens of arrests and detention of suspected protesters

Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte received widespread condemnation for passing the controversial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, which he signed unto law on July 3.

Critics argue that the new anti-terror law pushed through parliament by the Rodrigo Duterte administration makes it easier to criminalize dissent and crack down on critics

The government of Rodrigo Duterte has been widely criticized for its high-handed and brutal crackdown against social movements under the pretext of dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak