CHR condemns Maguindanao attack, says it ‘insults efforts to pursue peace’

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission of Human Rights (CHR) on Sunday “strongly” condemned the attack by members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF)  in a town in Maguindanao.

In a statement, CHR spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia said the attack “insult[s] the efforts of advocates and the people on the ground to pursue peace.”

Police earlier said some 50 armed men “harassed the townhall of Datu Piang,” Municipal Police Station, and the Sta. Teresita Church at 9:25 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 3.

The BIFF has already owned up to the Thursday night attacks, where a police patrol car was burned but no casualties were reported.

“CHR believes that inflicting violence, especially when the nation is being confronted with a pandemic, is senseless and does nothing but aggravate the hardships already felt by communities on the ground,” De Guia said.

“Mindanao in particular has long suffered from unrests. Such attacks insult the efforts of advocates and the people on the ground to pursue peace,” she added.

The CHR then urged the government to assert the full extent of the law in pursuing those responsible for the attack.

“We can never fully enjoy the fruits of human rights until unrest persists. We all deserve to live a dignified life,” De Guia added.

JE