Trigger Warning: Mentions of transfemicide, violence, and death.
What does the situation look like currently?
Within the last two months alone, there have been 4 different murders of trans women in the Philippines. Their names are:
- Bella Lutap, Aged 20 (Incident happened on June 17 and her body was only found on June 20.) – Found in an irrigation canal in Zaragoza, Neuva Ecija. According to Yell Theresa, spokesperson of gender rights group Bahaghari. “I heavily mourn for Bella because their stories reveal how violence against trans people is sustained by machismo and patriarchy that treats trans existence as disposable.”
- Teddy Federico, Aged 32 (found 15 July 2026) – Found in Barangay Del Monte, Veruela after being missing for 8 days. She was a beloved IP youth leader, and barangay agricultural worker.
- Betty Benito, Aged 23 (found 27 July 2026) – Found in a grassy area in Barangay Sumpong, Malaybalay City. She was last seen with a man, who has now been arrested by the authorities. Betty was a contestant in the Miss QnA Malaybalay Pageant, and was celebrated with a Tourist Leadership Award.
- Jang Macawili, Aged 17 (passed 10 August 2026) – Assaulted in an internet café in Sitio Laguna, Barangay Sambag Uno, Cebu City. She was browsing the internet when it happened at 2:50 a.m. Investigations are still underway.
These are not isolated incidents. Since the beginning of 2025, at least 15 trans people have been killed in the Philippines. These are cases that have been reported, and the actual number can be much higher.
This continuous violence upon trans and gender diverse communities in the Philippines marks a disturbing trend of transphobia, violence and anti-gender activism within Asia, including the rollback of trans rights in India in the Trans Bill 2026, and the coordinated hunting of trans women in Indonesia in 2026.
Record of people who have been killed since 2025:
- Kai Sorem (26), passed 20th Apr 2026
- Teacher Dan Barba (37), passed 24 Aug 2025
- Cheska Buenavista (24), passed 14 Aug 2025
- Ali Macalintal (39), passed 23 Jun 2025
- Kierra Apostol (18), passed 23 Jun 2025
- Ampaw Elliorate (25), passed 12 Aug 2025
- Dahlia Supelanas (25), passed 27 Apr 2025
- Shalani Dolina (37), passed 21 Feb 2025
- Ren Tampus (35), passed 15 Jan 2025
- Elie (-), passed 15 Jan 2025
- Junjie Bangkiao (-), passed 25 May 2021
- Ebeng Mayor (21), passed 22 May 2021
What are trans groups doing?
Documentation
The Society of Trans Women of the Philippines (STRAP), a Philippines-based trans-led organisation fighting for trans rights, have dutifully been documenting cases of anti-trans violence that have been happening in the Philippines.
The documentation effort started in 2025 with Kierra, Ali, Ren and Shalani, and later added Teacher Dan, Ampaw and Cheska to the list. They recognized the pattern as transfemicide, and wrote the Commission on Human Rights leading to the investigation of these cases.
While it is grim work, this allows us to analyse the cases and any patterns that are forming, analyse them, and form effective advocacy and legislative strategies against them.
Engagement with Committee of Women and Gender Equality
Many trans and queer organisations within the Philippines have also banded together to release a solidarity statement, and to state their support for the filing of House Resolution No.1369.
The resolution states that the Filipino Committee on Women and Gender Equality conduct an investigation into the alarming cases of trans killings and other violence against transgender people.
It aims to assess the efficacy and responsiveness of current law enforcement and justice mechanisms in addressing violence against transgender and gender-diverse people, while evaluating the need for specific legislation to penalise trans hate crimes and gender-based violence.
APTN Stands in Solidarity with the Transgender Community in the Philppines
APTN wholly condemns the senseless killings of trans women and people in the Philippines, and thanks the trans advocacy groups and representatives working hard for the lives and dignity of trans people.
Transphobia and transmisogyny has no place in a society, and trans and gender-diverse people deserve to live dignified lives without having to fear being murdered at any moment.
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