The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) strongly condemns the recent explosion in front of a public market in Isulan town, Sultan Kudarat, on Saturday morning, September 7.

At least seven people were already identified as casualties of the said blast. We offer our prayers to the victims for their speedy recovery.

We in the CHR stands that this recent act of terror is an affront to every Filipino’s right to peace. As such, we urge the government to find the perpetrators of this violence and ensure that they are made accountable for their crimes.

At the same time, what is more apparent is the need for a sustainable solution to peace. Earlier this year, in April 2019, at least 18 people were hurt when an explosion hit a restaurant in the same town. In August and September 2018, two succeeding blasts also rocked the same town resulting to deaths and injuries.

We cannot let this kind of violence to keep on happening. Nobody deserves to live in fear and insecurity. 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. ###