AIPP Expresses Grave Concern over the Denial of the Petition Challenging the Terrorist Designation of CPA Leaders

AIPP Expresses Grave Concern over the Denial of the Petition Challenging the Terrorist Designation of CPA Leaders

20 July 2026

The Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP) expresses its grave concern over the decision of the Regional Trial Court of Baguio City, Branch 78, denying the petition for certiorari filed by leaders of AIPP member organization, the Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA): Windel B. Bolinget, Sarah Abellon-Alikes, Jennifer Awingan-Taggaoa, and Stephen A. Tauli. The petition challenged their arbitrary and unfounded designation as terrorists by the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) and raised serious constitutional concerns regarding the implementation of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.

AIPP is deeply alarmed that the four CPA leaders were designated as terrorists in 2023, leading to the freezing of their bank accounts, including the bank account of the Cordillera Peoples Alliance, by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC). Long before this designation, they had already endured years of red-tagging, surveillance, harassment, intimidation, and vilification because of their legitimate work defending the rights of Indigenous Peoples, their ancestral lands, territories and resources, and their right to self-determination.

The decision of the Regional Trial Court, dated 30 April 2026, raises serious concerns regarding the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed under the Philippine Constitution and international human rights law, including the rights to due process, freedom of expression, freedom of association, and the right of Indigenous Peoples’ human rights defenders to carry out their legitimate work without fear of reprisals.

AIPP stands in full solidarity with the CPA leaders and with all Indigenous Peoples’ human rights defenders who peacefully advocate for the collective rights of Indigenous Peoples. They are respected community leaders and human rights defenders, not terrorists. Their continued targeting reflects a broader and deeply troubling pattern of criminalization, judicial harassment, and the misuse of counterterrorism measures to silence legitimate dissent and weaken Indigenous Peoples’ movements. Such actions undermine democratic space, the rule of law, and the internationally recognized rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The terrorist designation of Indigenous leaders solely for their peaceful human rights advocacy is inconsistent with the Philippines’ obligations under international human rights law, including the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders. Counterterrorism laws must never be used to criminalize the legitimate exercise of fundamental freedoms or the peaceful defense of Indigenous Peoples’ rights.

AIPP respectfully calls on the Court of Appeals to conduct an independent and thorough review of the case, uphold the principles of justice, due process, and the rule of law, and overturn the baseless terrorist designation against the CPA leaders.

AIPP likewise urges the Government of the Philippines to ensure the protection of Indigenous Peoples’ human rights defenders and to create an enabling environment where they can carry out their legitimate work free from reprisals, intimidation, surveillance, harassment, red-tagging, and criminalization. The Government must also ensure that counterterrorism measures fully comply with its obligations under international human rights law and are not used to suppress the legitimate exercise of fundamental freedoms.

Finally, AIPP calls on the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders, relevant UN human rights mechanisms, diplomatic missions, and the international community to closely monitor this case and take appropriate action to help ensure the safety, protection, and rights of the CPA leaders. We further call for an immediate end to the criminalization and persecution of Indigenous Peoples’ human rights defenders and for full respect for their right to peacefully promote and defend the human rights of Indigenous Peoples in accordance with international human rights standards.

Beverly L. Longid

Chairperson

Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP)
Chiang Mai, Thailand

Click here to download the full statement for CPA Leaders

For more information about the case, please visit the CPA website at http://www.cpaphils.org or contact the Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) via email at [email protected]