CHR to probe ‘cruel, inhuman’ Jolo bombings

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Tuesday said that it will conduct an investigation into the twin bombings in Jolo, Sulu that killed at least 11 people and wounded 24 others, calling the act as “cruel and inhuman.”

In a statement, CHR spokesperson Atty. Jacqueline De Guia also called on the government to investigate the incident.

“In aid of pursuing justice, CHR through our concerned Regional Office shall also be investigating the case,” De Guia said in a statement.

“The recent bombing in Jolo, Sulu is cruel and inhuman,” De Guia added. “No one should be made to suffer from such violence.”

“The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) strongly condemns this attack against innocent civilians, which left at least 14 dead and several others wounded,” the CHR official expressed.

De Guia also called on the government to investigate the incident, and to make the perpetrators behind the blasts accountable.

Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) commander Major General Corleto Vinluan Jr. said that the first explosion, which occurred at Paradise Food Shop beside the Syntax computer shop on Serrantes St., Barangay Walled City at 11:54 a.m. of Monday, killed five soldiers and wounded 16 others.

The second blast, Vinluan added, happened at Goteckleng Building, which was only a hundred meters away from the site of the first blast. It was in the second explosion that a suspected female suicide bomber and a soldier were killed, while two soldiers and six policemen were wounded.

De Guia noted that the bombings occurred at a time when the country is observing International Humanitarian Law Month.

“We call out the perpetrators of this bombing for their blatant disregard for protection granted to civilians against such assaults,” the CHR spokesperson said.

“As this year’s theme stresses, preserving human dignity is a shared responsibility and we, likewise, urge non-State parties to respect this call in defense of human rights,” she added.

The CHR official also extended her sympathies to the families of the victims.

JPV