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Human rights

Trans Woman Human Rights Worker Killed in Philippines Amid Escalating Attacks on Press Freedom and Activism

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Advocates for LGBT and human rights are calling for an independent probe into the killing of Ali Macalintal, a trans woman human rights worker and former radio broadcaster, who was shot in a health spa in General Santos City on June 23. Macalintal had reported being harassed by state agents last year and had identified four sergeants allegedly responsible for the harassment. Karapatan, a human rights group where Macalintal was a former deputy, believes her killing is politically motivated. The Philippine Army's Task Force Gensan is under investigation for allegedly surveilling Macalintal and pressuring her to sign a document. Macalintal's death marks the seventh journalist to have been killed under the Marcos Jr. administration, sparking concerns about press freedom and activism in the country.

Key Takeaways:

  • Ali Macalintal, a trans woman human rights worker and former radio broadcaster, was shot and killed in a health spa in General Santos City on June 23.
  • Macalintal had reported being harassed by state agents last year, including four sergeants from Task Force Gensan, and had alerted Karapatan, a human rights group where she was a former deputy.
  • Karapatan believes Macalintal's killing is politically motivated and is calling for an independent probe.
  • Macalintal's death is the seventh journalist to have been killed under the Marcos Jr. administration, sparking concerns about press freedom and activism in the country.
  • Macalintal had previously been wrongly accused and detained in 2002 for the bombing of a local mall in General Santos, but was later acquitted in court.
  • Karapatan and Bahaghari, an LGBT organization, are calling on the Commission on Human Rights and the Philippine National Police to conduct an independent probe.
  • Fresh protests are scheduled on June 26, ahead of Stonewall Philippines 2025, with organizers promising to put Macalintal's name at the center of national protests.

Statistics:

  • July 23: Date of Ali Macalintal's murder.
  • 7: Number of journalists killed under the Marcos Jr. administration.
  • 2024: Year Macalintal reported being harassed by state agents.
  • 2002: Year Macalintal was wrongly accused and detained for the bombing of a local mall in General Santos.
  • 8: Number of years Macalintal was acquitted of charges after it was learned that evidence were planted and the raid and arrest in their quarters was illegal.
  • June 26: Date of scheduled protests ahead of Stonewall Philippines 2025.

Sources:

  • Karapatan
  • Bahaghari
  • RPN-DXDX General Santos
  • Philippine Army's Task Force Gensan
  • Commission on Human Rights
  • Philippine National Police

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