On the Escalating Harassment and Human Rights Violations Against PDG and Its Community Partners

The Philippine Network of Food Security Programmes (PNFSP) strongly condemns the continuing harassment, intimidation, and human-rights violations being perpetrated against the Paghida-et sa Kauswagan Development Group, Inc. one of our long-standing member-organizations working tirelessly to advance community-based food security, democratic participation, and inclusive development across rural and urban poor communities in the Philippines.

Over the past months, PDG staff, volunteers, and partner communities have been subjected to surveillance, visits by unidentified armed men, coercive “profiling,” and public vilification—actions that not only endanger their safety but also severely undermine the legitimacy of community-driven development work. These acts form part of a broader pattern of attacks experienced by civil society organizations committed to empowering marginalized sectors and defending their socioeconomic rights.

Attacks on Development and Humanitarian Work

PDG has consistently implemented programs focused on sustainable agriculture, capacity building, community organizing, and strengthening grassroots participation in decision-making. These are legitimate, life-affirming activities that contribute to food sovereignty and local resilience. The criminalization of this work is an alarming affront to democratic principles and violates long-standing national and international obligations concerning the protection of human rights defenders.

Reports reaching PNFSP detail forms of harassment that include:

• Persistent surveillance of community organizers and partner leaders

• Intrusive questioning of local residents about PDG’s activities

• Attempts to coerce individuals into signing statements against the organization

• Public red-tagging through community meetings and online disinformation

• Threats to disrupt ongoing food security and livelihood programs

These actions have created fear among community members and disrupted vital services related to land access, sustainable farming practices, and relief mobilization—services crucial to mitigating hunger and poverty.

Violation of Fundamental Rights

Such acts violate the constitutional rights to freedom of association, freedom of expression, and the right to participate in governance. They also contravene the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, which asserts the responsibility of States to guarantee that individuals and organizations working for human rights are protected from retaliatory harm.

We remind authorities that development workers, humanitarian actors, and community organizers play indispensable roles in supporting the country’s most vulnerable populations. Their safety is therefore a matter of public interest and national wellbeing.

Impact on Food Security and Community Resilience

Attacks on organizations like PDG do not occur in isolation. They directly hinder the ability of communities to produce food, access resources, and build sustainable livelihoods. In an era marked by climate crises, economic instability, and chronic inequality, silencing grassroots organizations only exacerbates food insecurity and amplifies vulnerabilities.

PNFSP recognizes PDG as an essential pillar in advancing agroecology, communal food production, and participatory development. Their partnerships have resulted in strengthened local food systems, enhanced disaster resilience, and empowered community leadership. To obstruct this work is to undermine the very foundations of inclusive and sustainable national development.

Our Demands

In light of these incidents, PNFSP urgently calls for the following:

1. An immediate halt to all forms of harassment, surveillance, intimidation, and red-tagging directed at PDG, its staff, volunteers, and partner communities.

2. A transparent, independent investigation into the reported violations, with accountability for individuals and institutions found responsible.

3. Revocation of policies and practices that enable the targeting of civil society organizations under the guise of security operations.

4. Protection guarantees for PDG and all development workers in accordance with national law and international human rights standards.

5. Support for community-based food security programs that uphold people’s rights, promote environmental sustainability, and strengthen democratic participation.

A Call for Solidarity and Vigilance

PNFSP stands firmly with PDG and all organizations striving for a just, equitable, and food-secure Philippines. We call on fellow civil society groups, local government units, academic institutions, faith communities, and the international community to express solidarity and help ensure that development and humanitarian workers can operate without fear.

We urge all citizens to remain vigilant and to reject narratives that seek to delegitimize organizations advocating for communities long neglected by systems of power. Defending human rights defenders is defending democracy—and ultimately defending the right of every Filipino to live with dignity, security, and hope.

In this critical moment, we reaffirm our commitment to advancing food security, defending civic space, and ensuring that the voices of farmers, fisherfolk, workers, women, and indigenous peoples remain heard and respected. Harassment and repression have no place in a society that aspires for peace, justice, and inclusive progress.

PNFSP stands resolute: attacks on one of us are attacks on all of us.We demand accountability. We demand protection. And we demand respect for the rights and dignity of all people working toward a more food-secure Philippines.