Photo: AC Dimatatac

MANILA, 10 December 2019: In its groundbreaking investigation, the Philippine Commission on Human Rights (CHR), announced that the 47 investor-owned corporations, including Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron, BP, Repsol, Sasol, and Total, could be found legally and morally liable for human rights harms to Filipinos resulting from climate change. The CHR also found the relevant criminal intent may exist to hold companies accountable under civil and criminal laws, in light of certain circumstances involving obstruction, willful obfuscation and climate denial.

Chuck Baclagon of 350.org Pilipinas and one of the petitioners to the CHR issued the following statement:

“We welcome the announcement of the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines, at COP25 that fossil fuel companies can be held legally liable for the harm caused to Filipino communities, resulting from climate change.

We believe that it raises awareness on the plight of those to whom climate justice is long due.

The sobering reality though, is that there are other battles that need to be won outside the resolution. We must work on all fronts to mobilize people and shift financial flows towards building a low-carbon, resilient and sustainable future that will keep global warming well below  1.5 degrees Celsius. And this requires halting all new fossil fuel development now.”

Photo: AC Dimatatac