CHR denounces deadly blast in Cotabato City

National Police investigators examine the site at the South Seas Mall following an explosion on New Year’s Eve in Cotabato city, southern Philippines Monday, Dec. 31, 2018. Maj. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana says the bomb went off Monday near the entrance of the mall as people made last-minute preparations ahead of New Year celebrations killing at least two people and wounding 21 others. (AP Photo/Rainier Canoso)

MANILA, Philippines–The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) condemned on Thursday the deadly bomb attack at a mall in Cotabato City on Dec. 30.

“The Commission on Human Rights strongly condemns the bombing at Cotabato City,” CHR Spokesperson Jaqueline de Guia said in a statement.

The CHR urged the security forces in the country to “act with urgency” in pursuing the perpetrators and make them accountable, especially that martial law is still in effect in Mindanao.

CHR also urged the public to unrelentingly work for just and lasting peace in the Mindanao region and the whole country.

“We must continue to denounce acts meant nothing but sow fear, as we urge everyone to continuously work for just and lasting peace in the region and for the entire country,” De Guia said.

https://www.facebook.com/notes/commission-on-human-rights-of-the-philippines/statement-of-chr-spokesperson-atty-jacqueline-ann-de-guia-on-the-cotabato-city-m/1907838675999335/

On Dec. 30, an explosion occurred in front of South Seas Mall in Cotabato City, leaving two persons dead and at least 34 others injured.

Malacañang earlier vowed to “get to the bottom” of the incident at the “soonest possible time.”

“We empathize with the families, relatives and friends of those who suffered from this unhappy occurrence,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in an earlier statement.

READ: Palace vows to ‘get to the bottom’ of Cotabato City mall blast

The Philippine National Police, for its part, said they are looking into the possibility that local terrorist groups inspired by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) are involved in the bombing.

READ: ISIS-inspired groups eyed in Cotabato blast — PNP

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