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The Philippines. The Philippines is a third-world country with a population of 110 million as of 2022. With a population of 110 million, does each individual's rights violated get addressed? A simple answer would be no. Rights in the Philippines can be seen being violated everywhere, with little to no measures to address the issue. Rights such as Article 3, "Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of person." Article 5, "No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment." Last is article 19, "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers." These are a few rights seen violated in a prevalent manner.

Now, why do rights in the Philippines prevalently get violated, and why does redressing them seem to be difficult? An appropriate answer for this would be an example that explains how the Government in the Philippines works. In the past, human rights defenders sought the 100 percent prosecution and conviction of human rights violators in the Philippines, specifically during the term of Duterte and its war on drugs.

Nonetheless, Karapatan Secretary General Cristina "Tinay" Palabay stated that this is "wishful thinking," especially since liability was never present in the killings in the country's war on drugs. Later on, during an investigative Philippine media event, Palabay stated that efforts are already being made to look further into the killings. She also stated, "However, these are hitting one dead end after another." "We need results, actual results," she stressed. "Those who are killing on the ground should stop what they are doing." Despite that, Palabay gave thanks to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for citing the human rights violations happening in the country. Last December 15, 2020, ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda released a report revealing a basis behind the claims that murder, torture, and crimes against humanity occurred during Duterte's first three years. Bensouda reported that "The Office is satisfied that information available provides a reasonable basis to believe that the crimes against humanity of murder (Article 7(1)(a)), torture (article 7(1)(f)), and the infliction of serious physical injury and mental harm as other inhumane Acts (Article 7(1)(k)) were committed on the territory of the Philippines. Between at least July 1, 2016, and March 16, 2019, in connection to the War on Drugs campaign launched throughout the country."

Although the report was convincing, the Government officials of the Philippines still refuted the statement, with our previous president, Duterte himself, saying that ICC prosecutors do not read. The previous Senate president, Vicente Sotto III, also dismissed the report. Sotto then stated facts from law enforcement agencies such as the PNP and PDEA to counter Bensouda's initial findings. After stating figures from law enforcement agencies, he then asked, "Ano pinagsasabi nitong si Bensouda na  reasonable basis of crimes against humanity?" "That is what she believes," Sotto stated of Bensouda's statements. Despite all of this, Palabay is still hopeful that the report will stimulate action for accountability, even stating, "This can make an impact even after this government finishes this term." Having all said this, it is clear why redressing human rights in the Philippines seems hopeless. The Government itself shuts down anything that may cause their actions to harm to prevent their ways from being halted. We can only hope that change will come sooner or later, and that the current Government will be different.