Commission on Human Rights INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said on Tuesday that it launched an investigation into the attacks committed against officials in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The CHR noted that it “strongly condemns these acts of violence” against the BARMM officials. The commission also noted the “prompt” measures authorities took to investigate the cases involving the officials.
“[T]he CHR Region 12 has initiated a motu proprio investigation and deployed a Quick Response Operation (QRO) to investigate the separate incidents in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM),” CHR said in a statement.
READ: 3 slain in separate gun attacks in Maguindanao provinces
This came after the residences of Commissioner Archie Buaya of the Bangsamoro Human Rights Commission (BHRC) and BHRC employee Ben Aguil were reportedly attacked with assault rifles in Barangay Labungan in Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao del Norte last October 11.
The attacks resulted in the death of John Debang, the security aid of Buaya.
Meanwhile, reports said that a grenade was lobbed at the office of Bangsamoro Health Minister Sinolinding Jr. last October 12 in Cotabato City. There was no recorded casualty or injury from the incident.
“Holding these perpetrators accountable is essential to ensuring that communities feel secure and protected within their own spaces,” CHR added.
Further, CHR emphasized that the incidents incite fear in communities and compromise the public’s participation in public affairs.
READ: Comelec exec in Lanao del Norte dead in apparent poll-related violence
“This issue becomes even more alarming as it threatens to undermine the ongoing efforts to foster a culture of peace in the BARMM Region, especially with their upcoming polls in 2025,” CHR noted.
The Commission on Elections previously denounced the killings of a vice mayoral aspirant in South Cotabato and an election officer in Lanao del Norte.