Cebu City, Philippines — The Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ) denounces the reported harassment and death threats against residents of Toledo City, Cebu, following the protest they staged at the Cebu Provincial Capitol last Oct. 15, 2025.
The residents who were greeted by Cebu Governor Pam Baricuatro submitted a seven-page petition to the provincial government. Among the issues raised included farmers' rising land taxes and eviction, undistributed Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOA), fisherfolk's declining fish catch, illegal dumping of coal ash, and disruptive illegal large-scale quarry operations along the Hinulawan River in Toledo City.
The continuous extraction and transport of riverbed materials have caused serious damage to the river system, posing risks during floods to residents living near riverbanks. Quarry materials are used for the construction needs of Cebu City and Mandaue City, including reclamation projects for the expansion of Toledo coal plants.
PMCJ notes that this is not the first time climate defenders have been harassed. In Feb. 2025, PMCJ Cebu leaders reported an attempted intrusion into their office in Cebu City. PMCJ has been assisting communities affected by coal plant operations and development aggression activities not just in Toledo City but across the province.
The harassment and death threats against Toledo residents only lend credence to the Global Witness report, which for years has ranked the Philippines as the deadliest place for land and environment defenders in Asia, and fifth in the world.
PMCJ urgently appeals to the authorities to take immediate action to ensure the safety and well-being of the concerned residents, who are themselves vulnerable to climate impacts. Those who advocate for environmental and climate justice should not face reprisal for their advocacy and vigilance. Instead, perpetrators of environmental crimes should be held to account to break the culture of impunity and end corrupt practices that allow impunity to thrive. ###
#HandsOffClimateActivists #DefendClimateJusticeDefenders #DefendCebu #HandsOffToledo #ClimateJusticeNow
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