In March 2020, a human rights defender and member of the Dumagat-Remontado community, was abducted and physically abused while in custody in the Philippines. The Philippine government is planning to build the Kaliwa damn, despite environmental concerns and opposition from local indigenous communities at risk of being displaced and losing their livelihoods.

The Dumagat Remontado community has been active against the hydropower development since 2009 and previoysly opposed the construction of the Laiban mega damn. “Under the guise of suppressing the armed rebellion, the military keeps attacking indigenous peoples, who are caught in the crossfire despite complete lack of evidence for the accusations against them,” said Conrado Vargas, a local community leader.