Moro rights group: Paralegal volunteer killed in Maguindanao

Maguindanao province in Mindanao (Image from Google Maps)

DAVAO CITY — A paralegal volunteer of the Kawagib Moro Human Rights, a group based in Maguindanao, was shot to death at around 3:00 p.m on Sunday, Sept. 23, Cosain Naga Jr., a spokesperson of the group, said on Monday.

Naga identified the slain volunteer as 43-year-old Mariam Uy Acob, who was shot by two unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle.

Acob herself was on a motorcycle with a side car on her way Mamasapano town to her home in Barangay Dapiwaan in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town.

She was in Barangay Tukanalipao in Mamasapano when her assailants overtook her vehicle.

“They shot her seven times,” Naga said.

Acob was hit in various parts of her body.

According to the group, Acob, who was working in conflict-ridden communities in Mindanao, received death threats weeks before she was killed.

Acob was a leader of Tindeg Bangsamoro, an organization of evacuees, or “bakwits,” in Maguindanao that strongly oppose the continuing militarization of Moro communities in that province.

Acob started working as a Moro human rights workers back in 2015. She was active in several protest actions against militarization in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town, Cotabato City, and General Santos City.

“She consistently denounced military airstrikes and the military encampment in their community, notably the 40th Infantry Battalion of the Armed Forces of the Philippines under the 6th Infantry Division,” the Kawagib said.

For its part, the militant group Suara Bangsamoro condemned the killing.

“The attack against Acob is a concerted effort by the government to gag its critics,” Jerome Aba, national chairman of the Suara Bangsamoro, said. “We view this as a direct attack against individuals or groups perceived to be critical to the Duterte administration. Under his term, human rights are grossly and unabatedly violated.” /atm