The Commission on Human Rights Regional Office IX condemns in the strongest terms the recent barbaric act of terrorism particularly in attacking the Catholic Cathedral in Barangay Walled City, Jolo, Sulu, six (6) days after the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) plebiscite.

Initial report revealed that a bomb exploded early Sunday morning inside the Catholic Cathedral while a mass was ongoing and another explosion occurred few seconds thereafter in the parking area of the said church. Accordingly, the Improvised Explosive Device was placed inside the utility box of a motorcycle. The twin explosion caused the death and injuries of several churchgoers and government troops. As of 6:00 pm of January 27, 2019, the death toll has reached twenty (20)- six (6) government troops and fourteen (14) civilians and one hundred eleven (111) others injured- twenty one (21) government forces and ninety (90) civilians.

This act of causing and sowing terror among the people is a grave form of human rights violation that can never find place in law. These are various inhumane acts that can never be tolerated nor condoned by law.

The significance and supremacy of life as a sacred right and so is a person’s right to be secured in places of worship vital in one’s enjoyment of freedoms and human rights.

The Commission bears emphasis on the significance and supremacy of life as a sacred right and so is a person’s right to be secured in places of worship vital in one’s enjoyment of freedoms and human rights. Hence, the Commission reiterates its stance that terrorism and violence has no place in a civilized society like ours.

With this, the Commission calls on our authorities especially our law enforcement agencies to conduct proper and swift investigation on this matter to determine the reason for this ill-fated incident despite the proclamation of martial law in Mindanao, to identify the perpetrators and hold them accountable and to assist the victims’ families in seeking for justice for their loved ones. In the same vein, the Commission calls for the people to be vigilant and cooperative in assisting the authorities to prevent similar acts. Finally, the Commission calls for support in our quest for peace particularly in Muslim Mindanao which is the core objective of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).January 28, 2019 Zamboanga City, Philippines.

Atty. Frederick Ian S. Capin

CHR IX Regional Director