Statements
Palayain si chantal! release chantal!
Chantal Anicoche is a 24 year old Filipino American born in the Philippines. As a graduate of UM Baltimore County, a substitute teacher, and a student leader with her school’s Filipino American Student Association (FASA), Chantal is beloved by her community. It was her desire to be in community with other Filipinos, to learn about her identity and culture, that led Chantal to become involved with FASA. Like many of us, she wanted to learn about the conditions that led her and her family to have to leave the Philippines in the first place.
It was through this community that Chantal also learned about environmental, farmers’, and Indigenous peoples’ issues in the Philippines. Through her work serving Filipino communities in the US, she developed a deep love for her homeland and its culture—a passion that drove her to volunteer as a researcher to learn about the factors contributing to the forced displacement and migration of peasants and indigenous peoples.
nstead of celebrating the New Year, Chantal chose to be with Mangyan-Iraya indigenous communities in Occidental Mindoro, learning from and serving them. However, on January 1st, the Armed Forces of the Philippines launched an attack on the area on unsubstantiated claims of an encounter with the New People's Army. The ensuing hours of indiscriminate aerial bombings and strafing resulted in the deaths of five civilians, including children, and the injury of a mother. Chantal went missing in the aftermath of the attack.
There was no news on her whereabouts until January 8th, when the 203rd Infantry Brigade released videos of Chantal, possibly under duress, appearing to be found, surrounded, and interrogated before being brought to the camp of the 76th Infantry Battalion. The circumstances surrounding her 'surfacing' are under scrutiny, due to the unlikelihood that the military took eight days to find her when she was less than 500 meters from the attack site.
She was later transferred to Camp Capinipin in Tanay, Rizal. There, she is illegally detained as a civilian with no case filed against her. On January 11th, the military claimed Chantal chose to 'voluntarily' remain in custody for medical reasons. This claim has also been brought into question, especially considering attempts by lawyers and human rights organizations to visit her and ensure her rights are protected were all barred.
As a student leader, Chantal’s story of care and passion for helping communities in the homeland resonates with so many Filipino youth in the U.S. Her choice to learn from and help conduct relief with indigenous communities shows her deep love for the Philippines and Filipino culture. It is important to recognize why Filipino youth overseas are drawn to learning about the issues of indigenous peoples, with Filipino culture and history having often been erased and forgotten. Just like Chantal, we recognize that Filipino youth organizations are critical spaces to learn more about the issues that Filipinos face, from the U.S. to the homeland.
Recognizing this natural desire to not only see the Philippines, but see it free from corruption and repression is why we assert it is not a crime to go home. We reject the false and harmful narratives being pushed by the AFP and their online trolls that slander Chantal’s character and that of Filipino youth simply seeking to learn about communities back home. We know that it is the military that is responsible for the killings, displacement, and environmental destruction they have inflicted on indigenous communities, including those in Mindoro.
As we demand Chantal’s immediate release, we also demand justice for all of the Mangyan-Iraya people who have been unjustly killed, injured, and displaced by the AFP’s brutal attacks against their communities. From January to November 2025 alone, the Defend Mindoro Alliance recorded:
16,733 Victims of Human Rights Violations
From militarization, to land grabbing, to development aggression, we denounce these attacks on the human rights and assert the Mangyan-Iraya peoples’ rights to land, rights, and livelihood. The AFP and Marcos Administration continue to put lives of the Filipino people in danger.
We understand that the repression Chantal is facing is part of a broader strategy to silence and intimidate young leaders. The government of the Philippines fears the power of the youth and students, turning to unjust tactics to preserve state corruption and the exploitation of the Filipino people.
Whether it's navigating our cultural identity or searching for community, we know the feeling of letting our curiosity guide us to take action. It’s groups like Kabataan Alliance, the Northern California Pilipinx American Student Alliance, and many other Filipino youth organizations where we find spaces that educate us to learn about issues impacting Filipinos in the U.S. and bridge them back to the Philippines.
The Philippines is home for many of us. Despite how far apart we are, we find ways to feel closer to our Filipino identity. Whether it's joining your Filipino organization or go to the Philippines themselves. We want to see our homeland free from corruption, repression, and have the right to a safe return to learn for ourselves.
We call on our fellow Filipino youth and students, those who seek to learn more about our culture, those who want to support our kababayan in need, and those who have had a longing to go back home to the motherland, to demand for the release of Chantal and stop the human rights violations in Mindoro!
Calls to Action
Sign the Petition and get 5 other people to sign-it
🔗 tinyurl.com/chantal-petition
Post a selfie with a sign that says “Release Chantal! Defend Mindoro!” Post & tag @kabataanalliance and @ncpasa
Support Kabataan Alliance’s Campaign: Wear a blue bandana throughout the day to show your support
Engage U.S. State Institutions and Legislators:
🔗 tinyurl.com/chantal-advocacy-toolkit
Participate in a national phone and email barrage targeting the U.S. State Department and deman that they assert all efforts to make sure Chantal is released
Host educational teach-ins at our schools and organizations to share about Kabataan Alliance’s Defend Indigenous Peoples Struggles Campaign
Create your own statement calling for Chantal’s release or repost different statements from organizations
Sign onto our Unity Statement
🔗 tinyurl.com/chantal-ncpasa-statement
Condemnation of the Arrests of Lumad Students, Teachers, and Elders
We, the Northern California Pilipinx American Student Alliance (NCPASA), condemn the arrests of 26 Lumad students, elders, and teachers on February 15th, 2021 at the Save Our Schools Network bakwit school in the University of San Carlos in Talamban, Cebu.
Condemnation of the Tumandok Massacre
We, the Northern California Pilipinx American Student Alliance (NCPASA), condemn the massacre of the 9 Tumandok leaders on December 30th.
endorsement of the PHRA
We, the Northern California Pilipinx American Student Alliance (NCPASA), endorse the
Philippines Human Rights Act (PHRA).
Condemning pemberton’s pardon
We, the Northern California Pilipinx American Student Alliance (NCPASA), condemn the pardon of Jennifer Laude’s murderer, Joseph Pemberton.
George floyd & blm Statement
We, the Northern California Pilipinx American Student Alliance (NCPASA), stand in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter Movement occurring across the nation.
TW: SA/SV Statement
Trigger Warning: Sexual Assault, Sexual Violence
The Northern California Pilipinx American Student Alliance (NCPASA), condemns acts of sexual assault and sexual violence.