Over the past days, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has been monitoring the recent bombing incidences occurring in Mindanao. On 26 May, an improvised explosive device (IED) went off inside a public utility bus in Koronadal City, South Cotabato, and another blast at a bus terminal in Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat. Days later, another bomb exploded inside the garage of a bus company in Isabela City, Basilan on Monday, May 30.

CHR strongly condemns these incidences of violence and indiscriminate bombings, which run counter to the principles of international humanitarian law. CHR reiterates its  strong condemnation against any act of armed rebellion that seek to terrorize and sow discord into the lives of people. These attacks run counter to peace and security efforts of the government and is inimical to the country’s national development.

CHR has been working with the security sector in investigating repeated instances of violence and killings allegedly perpetrated by those within terrorist groups. Part of  the mandate of CHR, as the country’s National Independent Human Rights Institution, is to monitor government compliance to human rights and investigate allegations of abuse. In the same manner, CHR probes and denounces rights abuses and violations committed by non-state actors and armed groups. To recall, our swift condemnation and call for accountability from the New People’s Army (NPA) for the deaths of Keith Absalon and his cousin Nolven Absalon () was met with support from both the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines ().

Just recently, CHR’s work in investigating NPA atrocities has been cited by Capt. Kaharudin Cadil from the Army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade (). We welcome the military’s support in our endeavors and convey our gratitude to the 802nd Infantry Brigade for the assistance they provided to our investigators in Region VIII in probing NPA killings.

We pray for quick recovery for those hurt in the blasts in Mindanao. CHR for its part will be conducting a motu propio investigation through its regional offices and coordinate efforts with the Bangsamoro Human Rights Commission in the conduct of its parallel investigation with local authorities in pursuit of justice for the victims hurt in these terroristic incidents.