Camille Naredo

United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard attends the University of the Philippines (UP) human rights forum, Friday. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File

United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard attends the University of the Philippines (UP) human rights forum, Friday. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN news

Article (news)

United Nations

Vivienne Gulla

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178757720874220170505-un-rapporteur-callamard-JC-7.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard attends the University of the Philippines (UP) human rights forum, Friday. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File"/>United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard attends the University of the Philippines (UP) human rights forum, Friday. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File</div>MANILA — Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado committed to immediately act on the motion seeking to reconsider a 2018 order to place former United National Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard in the BI’s blacklist.Viado made the commitment during the budget hearing of the Department of Justice and its attached agencies before the House Committee on appropriations, after he was asked by two lawmakers.Callamard served as UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/video/news/02/28/18/palace-says-callamard-not-welcome-in-ph">FROM 2018: Palace says Callamard not welcome in PH</a></div>“Si Ms. Agnes Callamard po sigurado ako wala po ‘yan sa blacklist ng Interpol. She is former United Nations Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial killings,” Akbayan Party List Rep. Percival Cendaña said.“Kung base dito sa information na nakalap namin ngayon galing dito sa honorable body na ito, we’re willing to also review the status of the special rapporteur, because we are in favor of human rights. We are in favor of other persons from other countries coming into our country to see how we have gone forward as far as human rights are concerned,” Viado replied.“It struck me what you said that it was not on any behest when you made any blacklisting. Sa case ba ni Dr. Callamard ganoon? It was at no one’s behest?…Mayroon bang national security threat? There was no crime committed, correct? And there was no immigration violation?… Isn’t she the one who investigated the drug war killings as the former special UN rapporteur?” ML Party List Rep. Leila de Lima asked.“As far as I know, your honor… Based on the record, it was a national security concern, your honor… I can dig deeper into this matter, your honor. This matter, I think, occurred even before we were appointed to the Bureau of Immigration…Ang basehan is based on reports from our national security agency, your honor,” Viado answered.De Lima then brought up the motion for reconsideration pending before the BI.“Hindi ba mayroon nang Motion for Reconsideration with respect to that, as far back as August 2026, there is this motion for reconsideration on the blacklisting of Dr. Callamard? For the lifting of the black list. Isn’t it that under the BI omnibus rules, the Commission is supposed to resolve a lifting petition within 15 working days? Bakit po napakatagal na ‘yung ginagawa ninyong review about the case of Dr. Callamard?” De Lima asked.“As far as I know, there is no pending matter involving this. But once we get back to the office, your honor, we will act on it right away,” Viado replied.“How soon can we expect that? Kasi this matter is being monitored actually by certain UN officials,” De Lima inquired further.“We understand, your honor. We will act on it right away, by tomorrow, your honor,” Viado replied.

Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado committed to immediately act on the motion seeking to reconsider a 2018 order to place former United National Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard in the BI’s blacklist.

Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado committed to immediately act on the motion seeking to reconsider a 2018 order to place former United National Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard in the BI’s blacklist.

BI chief to act on motion to reconsider 2018 blacklist order against Agnes Callamard

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BI chief to act on motion to reconsider 2018 blacklist order against Agnes Callamard

Vivienne Gulla,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 24, 2026 09:14 PM PHT

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