CHR says Sultan Kudarat blast an ‘affront to Filipinos’ right to peace’

Police and military personnel surround the public market in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat after a powerful IED blast Saturday morning, Sept. 7. (Photos contributed by Joseph Sarmiento)

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) tagged on Sunday the Sultan Kudarat blast as an insult to the public’s “right to peace.”

With this, the commission urged the government to arrest the perpetrators of the blast that injured at least seven individuals.

“We in the CHR stands that this recent act of terror is an affront to every Filipino’s right to peace,” CHR spokesperson Atty. Jacqueline Ann de Guia said in a statement.

“As such, we urge the government to find the perpetrators of this violence and ensure that they are made accountable for their crimes,” she added.

De Guia also said that the commission “strongly condemns” the incident as it offered its prayers for the speedy recovery of those injured.

READ: At least 7 hurt in Isulan IED explosion

She then urged the public to stand firm amid trials.

“We cannot let this kind of violence to keep on happening. Nobody deserves to live in fear and insecurity,” De Guia said.

“And as one nation, we urge the country to stand with the residents of Insulan, Sultan Kudarat, and elsewhere in the Philippines confronted with conflict, in ensuring that peace will always win,” she added.

According to authorities, an improvised explosive device was used in the roadside bombing in Insulan Sultan Kudarat on Saturday. /je