On the evening of 31 October 2019, 57 members of labour and civil society organisations were arrested and detained in simultaneous military and police raids in Manila and Bacolod in the Philippines. Among those arrested are trade unionists, labour activists and environmental campaigners. 

Local authorities allege the activists are suspected of being members of a rebel group and have charged them with illegal possession of firearms and explosives. However, local and international rights groups have condemned the charges as being bogus and say the raids are part of a wider crackdown aimed at suppressing civic space and the movement for workers' rights. Calls are being made for the activists' release. 

This is a developing story and we will continue to monitor the situation and update as we receive further information.