The Commission on Human Rights joins communities everywhere in commemorating the International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism. Terrorism is one of the most challenging issues of our time and poses grave risk to national and international peace and security. No country can consider itself immune, with almost every nationality in the world falling victim to terrorist attacks.

The Commission on Human Rights condemns all forms of terrorism and actions meant to sow discord and instill fear and disruption in the daily lives of individuals. While the government as duty-bearer has the responsibility to protect those within its jurisdiction from extremist attacks, it must also ensure that counterterrorism efforts must abide by human rights standards and do not infringe on any individual’s right to life. Violent actions perpetrated by non-state groups against the general population for political or ideological purposed are abhorrent crimes that, when done in a manner that causes massive casualties and harm to the community, amount to crimes against humanity and leave long-lasting negative impacts on those afflicted.

The armed conflict in Marawi between government security forces, and extremist Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)-affiliated groups that led to the casualties of over 160 members of the government security forces, 47 non-combatants and over 300,000 thousand internally displaced is a shocking display of how the actions of few individuals can sow fear and shatter the lives of individuals and countless communities.

Three years after the Marawi siege, not all families and individuals displaced by the armed conflict are able to return home. The victims of terrorism, have become internally displaced persons (IDPs) bearing most of all the hardships caused by terrorism. While Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) has made strides to reconstruct areas outside of ground zero. The Most Affected Area (MAA) or ground zero of the Marawi siege, where most of the fighting occurred, remains to be uninhabitable and off off-limits to its former residents who temporarily live in evacuation centers or with relatives.

Supporting victims of terrorism and their families is a moral imperative based on the duties of the state to respect, protect and fulfil the rights of its citizens. It is also an effective means of countering terrorism which aims to alienate communities and divide our societies. To support victims and to listen to their voices is a meaningful way for the government to negate the terrorist narrative of an uncaring government. Thus, as a means of support for the victims of terrorism, the Commission calls for the approval of House Bill 3418, or the “Marawi Compensation Bill,” to compensate individuals and families that have lost so much from their livelihood to their homes, three years after the siege.