CHR condemns attack on indigenous community in Davao del Norte
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) denounced on Friday the reported attack against an indigenous community in Davao del Norte by alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA).
“We condemn the violence given that, considering the present coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, atrocities further push indigenous people into vulnerability,” CHR spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia said in a statement.
“To this end, we call on both parties—government and the New People’s Army—to effect a genuine ceasefire in these communities and work towards a more durable and permanent solution to armed conflict on the ground,” she added.
The reported attack, the CHR noted, occurred early Tuesday morning in the remote village of Sitio Tapayanon, Barangay Gupitan of Kapalong town.
“The Commission denounces this act of deliberate violence by the armed group,” De Guia said.
This as she pointed out that protection of indigenous cultural communities/indigenous peoples (IPs) in times of armed conflict and prohibition against attacks on non-combatants and civilians are provided under Republic Act No. 8371 or the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act and Republic Act No. 9851 or the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity.
