The threats faced by Spizaetus philippensis are habitat loss and perhaps hunting. Deforestation is having a significant effect on the population which is suffering from severe fragmentation.
Spizaetus philippensis has been recorded from lowland and mid-mountain forest on 10 islands (many of which there are no recent reports either because of its rarity and possible extinction there or because there have been no visits) in the Philippines.
Spizaetus philippensis is considered as "Vulnerable" by the IUCN Red List; due to a 20% loss of population over the last 10 years. CITES lists the species as "Appendix 2".