Statement
February 23, 2026
Today, as part of a global day of action for the release of political prisoners, ICHRP calls for the immediate release of Maoj Maga and all political prisoners in the Philippines.
Maoj Maga is an organizer with the national independent labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno. Moaj was arrested on 22 February 2018 while playing basketball in Rizal. Police who arrested Moaj claimed he had a 45 caliber pistol and that they were serving an arrest warrant for the crime of murder. This is emblematic of many other cases of fabricated evidence behind trumped-up charges levied against activists and community organizers in the Philippines. According to human rights alliance KARAPATAN, there are over 700 political prisoners in the Philippines today.
Kilusang Mayo Uno (May First Movement, KMU) is a genuine and militant trade union center in the Philippines. KMU brings together 9 labor federations and 3 mass organizations from across Philippine society, raising the demands of workers, urban poor, transport operators, agricultural workers, hospitality, business process outsourcing, and many other sectors.
Under former President Duterte, the Philippine National Police and Philippine Army carried out the Bloody Sunday Massacre (March 2021) that killed nine people and arrested six, including members of KMU. Since President Marcos Jr. assumed office in 2022, red-tagging, surveillance, intimidation, and attacks continue against labor organizers across the Philippines.
On May 1st, KMU will conclude its 45th anniversary in the front-line of the worker’s struggle in the Philippines. KMU has inspired workers and unionists all over the world and demonstrates the importance of genuine international solidarity in the face of state repression and attacks on labor everywhere.
ICHRP calls on its allies to join campaigns for the release of all political prisoners – including for the immediate release of Maoj Maga. If you are interested in supporting a campaign in your community, please contact us at ichrp.net/contact.
