Philippine business groups have warned that acts of intimidation and hatred could damage investor confidence, tourism and the country’s global reputation, urging authorities to quickly identify those responsible and enforce the law.
In a joint statement dated Aug. 7, the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FFCCCII), Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI), Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), and Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (Philexport) backed the Department of Foreign Affairs’ condemnation of the recent use of caskets as instruments of intimidation.
The groups said they “strongly condemn these irresponsible and disrespectful acts,” which they described as violations of the decency, civility and respect expected in a democratic society.
Beyond their immediate political and social impact, the organizations said such incidents could carry an economic cost by sowing fear, deepening divisions and weakening the Philippines’ image as a stable destination for business and tourism.
The warning comes as the economy grapples with subdued growth, weak foreign investment inflows and the need to revive tourism.
“Such irresponsible actions risk undermining investor confidence, discouraging tourists, disrupting trade, and ultimately affecting the livelihoods and future opportunities of millions of Filipinos,” the groups said.
The business organizations stressed that political and social differences should not be expressed through threats, intimidation or acts that incite hatred. Democracy, they said, is strengthened through “reasoned dialogue, mutual respect, and peaceful engagement.”
They called on the Philippine National Police and other authorities to investigate the incidents, identify the perpetrators and enforce the law.
The groups also urged Filipinos to uphold civility and national unity while strengthening economic partnerships needed to support recovery, investment and job creation.
For the business community, the message was blunt. Political expression has consequences beyond politics, and a climate of intimidation can become an economic liability when investors, tourists and trading partners are weighing whether the Philippines is a place where stability can be trusted.
