The Philippines army killed five people in the southern Mindanao region in an alleged shootout. Doubts were raised after it was revealed that two of those killed were volunteer teachers

The country’s rights watchdog as well as lawyers representing activist Naty Castro have raised questions about the serious procedural lapses and irregularities in her arrest

The terrorist tag on the National Democratic Front of the Philippines is unprecedented. The group has operated as the overground political arm of the banned communist party, and was involved in the peace process with the Duterte government

Both the government and the CPP have categorically indicated willingness to reopen the peace process that was abandoned mid-way in 2017

Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte has waged a relentless war against all those who have criticized him or pose a challenge to him. Despite his attacks, or precisely because of these and his crimes, opposition to Duterte is growing

The third extension to martial law was approved by parliament on December 12 and seeks to “combat ‘extremists,’ specifically the banned Maoist group, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), and its extended guerila and political apparatus.”