A/HRC/45/36 Philippines (PHL 12/2017), and the arbitrary detention of its former Chair, were included in the 2019 (A/HRC/42/30, Annex II paras. 79–80) and 2018 reports of the SecretaryGeneral (A/HRC/39/41, paras. 61–62 and Annex I, paras. 84–85). In particular, the High Commissioner in her July 2019 report (A/HRC/44/22, para. 58) noted that former Chair and Senator, Ms. Leila de Lima, arbitrarily detained for three years, is among the women officials critical of Government policy who faced reprisals. 64 99. During the reporting period, OHCHR received information that the Commission continued to be the target of threats, intimidation and public questioning, given its support to, and engagement with, the UN. When the Human Rights Council voted in favour of the resolution on the human rights situation in the Philippines in July 2019 (A/HRC/RES/41/2), newspaper articles reportedly condemned statements by the Commission which had advocated for the implementation of the resolution and had called for the Government to cooperate with OHCHR. In November 2019, during the Senate’s public deliberations on the Commission’s proposed 2020 budget, legislators accused the Commission of favouring criminals. The Senate President reportedly raised questions concerning international organizations with which the Commission had engaged, and requested the list of such organizations to be submitted to the Senate. 100. The Karapatan Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights, a national alliance of human rights organizations, was included in the 2019 report of the SecretaryGeneral, in connection with alleged intimidation and reprisals for its engagement with the UN (A/HRC/42/30, Annex II, para.83). On 15 April 2020, special procedures mandate holders addressed concerns to the Government about alleged killings of two members of the Karapatan alliance as well as office raids, arbitrary detention and legal cases against Karapatan secretariat members and staff (PHL 1/2020) from May 2019 to March 2020. They detail a pattern of the targeting of multiple organizations and individuals, stating that “it is believed that all…incidents are reprisals for the advocacy work conducted by Karapatan, RMP and Gabriela at the national and international level, including before the UN Human Rights Council” (PHIL 1/2020). 101. In particular, they referred to ongoing patterns of harassment, including death and rape threats against Ms. Cristina Palabay, Secretary General of Karapatan, who led delegations of human rights defenders to the 41st, 42nd and 43rd sessions of the Human Rights Council, including to support the adoption of resolution 41/2 on the Philippines (see also PHL 7/2019). On 9 December 2019, Karapatan sent a submission to OHCHR and held a press conference. The following day, Ms. Palabay received several text messages with death and rape threats, and threats on social media, including from the accounts of the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines and the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict. Mandate holders expressed grave concern at the apparent retaliation against members of the Karapatan alliance for their human rights activities, including their engagement with the Human Rights Council (PHIL 1/2020). 102. On 23 July 2020, the Government responded in detail to the note verbale in connection to the present report. The Government stressed that the Commission on Human Rights enjoys its continued support and that its budget has even increased. Views expressed during the Senate’s budget debate should not be considered as reprisals, as they are part of free political debate. The reply did not provide new details about the situation of detained former Chair and Senator Ms. Leila de Lima. 103. Regarding the alleged killing of two members of the Karapatan alliance, the Government stated that it will address this allegation as soon as information is received from relevant agencies. Concerning the alleged office raids and arbitrary arrest of Karapatan staff members, the Government stated that the intervention by law enforcement was based on two valid search warrants and the operation resulted in the confiscation of various firearms and live ammunitions. The five individuals concerned were lawfully arrested and had access to members of their families as well as legal counsel. The Government provided details about the petition brought against the President and several high-ranking government officials by three NGOs, Karapatan, Gabriela and Rural 64 70 https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/Detention/Opinions/Session82/ A_HRC_WGAD_2018_61.pdf; See also PHL 5/2017; A/HRC/40/60/Add.1; A/HRC/40/52.