Stop the Killing in the Philippines

The United Church of Canada is appalled by reports that Philippine military operations conducted by the 79th Infantry Battalion killed 19 people and forcibly displaced 653 residents from 168 households in peasant communities in Negros Island on April 19, 2026. 

We are gravely concerned about these alleged violations of international human rights. Together with the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP), we strongly support the call to launch an immediate, independent, and impartial investigation into this incident.

We mourn the deaths of 19 people, including: Roel Sobillo, a farmer; RJ Nichole Ledesma, a journalist and cultural worker; and Alyssa Alano, an education and research councillor at the University of the Philippines Diliman.

The Philippine Army’s official position that all casualties were members of a “communist terrorist group” must be seriously scrutinized. Many young people, like Alyssa, visit rural areas to learn about marginalized communities and to engage in solidarity work—not as combatants. The University of Philippines Diliman Student Council stated: “Alyssa lived and studied among our farmer brothers and sisters in Negros to understand their true conditions in the face of land grabbing, exploitation, and militarization.” 

“As long as the root causes of poverty remain unresolved, there will be more like Alyssa who are willing to study society and fight for a society free from exploitation. The spirit of Alano will never fade among the ranks of Iskolar ng Bayan, who will further strengthen unity to ultimately defeat an oppressive and exploitative social system,” they added.

A proper investigation must be conducted, and justice must be served.

Standing in Solidarity

We call on the Government of Canada to:

• Suspend the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) between Canada and the Philippines. Given this incident, the values upheld by many Canadians do not align themselves with these actions, which may have violated international human rights. 
• Encourage the Government of the Philippines (GRP) to prioritize human rights and support the resumption of peace negotiations between the GRP and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).
• Audit its financial, programmatic, and military support to the Philippines to ensure it does not contribute to human rights abuses.

We believe Canada’s public encouragement and diplomatic efforts can play a critical role in advancing peace and justice in the Philippines.

Take Action

Sign an E-Petition

ICHRP Canada has initiated a House of Commons E-petition of Canada's Status of Visiting Forces Agreement with the Philippines (SOVFA). It calls on the Government of Canada to suspend the agreement. Under SOVFA, Canada could deploy Canadian troops to the Philippines. This risks Canadian soldiers becoming involved in the government's counter-insurgency campaign, and Canada being complicit in the gross human rights violations associated with it. Cooperating with the Philippine Armed Forces risks binding Canada's reputation to an establishment that is accused of corruption.

People of the United Church are encouraged to read and sign the petition.

Help amplify this call by sharing it widely with your friends, colleagues, and networks.

Learn More About the Work of Global Partnership

Would you like to join the Global Partnership Team on our journey of daring justice, bold ideas, and deep radical accompaniment? Follow United Action for Justice on Facebook, Twitter/X, and Instagram.

The Global Partnership Team engages partner organizations around the world that work in many interconnected areas: economic justice, human rights, water rights, refugees and migration, food security/sovereignty, opposing militarism and violence, climate change, and more.

If you’d like to hear more about global partnership work at community of faith events, services, and gatherings, let us know! Contact the Global Partnership Team at justice@united-church.ca.

Pray for Peace and Justice

O God of justice and peace,

We live in turbulent times, as the global order has descended into chaos. Wars have destroyed lives and shattered economies, and in the Philippines, the military has turned against its own citizens. Surely, this is not how you would have us live on this planet.

We long for a world that is safe, peaceful, and just. May your Spirit be with us as we give voice to our yearning for a better world—a world you have envisioned for us to live in.

Amen.