PHILIPPINE authorities are allegedly filing baseless terrorism financing charges against civil society groups and activists to secure removal from the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) “grey list,” Human Rights Watch said.
FATF, a global watchdog on money laundering and terrorism financing, visited the country in January 2025 to assess its compliance with reforms.
The Philippines was placed on the grey list in 2021, requiring financial monitoring and restrictions.
Human Rights Watch said authorities have exploited FATF’s oversight to target activists, with many cases dismissed due to lack of evidence. The government, however, claims increased prosecutions are necessary to meet FATF requirements.
Critics, including the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers, argue that anti-terrorism laws are being “weaponized” against activists, journalists, and humanitarian workers.
United Nations experts have also raised concerns about disproportionate measures.
Some organizations, such as the Community Empowerment and Resource Network and Kaduami, have had assets frozen and operations disrupted.
Philippine courts have dismissed several terrorism financing cases, but convictions have also been secured against individuals allegedly linked to armed groups.
Human Rights Watch urged FATF to ensure that counterterrorism measures respect human rights, warning that the Philippine government’s actions threaten legitimate civil society work.
