The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) strongly condemns the attack made by alleged members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) on Thursday evening, 3 December, in Datu Piang, Maguindanao.

The said group reportedly harassed police officers in the named town and exchanged gunfire with the police and soldier stationed in the area. While no casualties were reported, the BIFF militants burned a police patrol car in the course of the skirmish.

CHR believes that inflicting violence, especially when the nation is being confronted with a pandemic, is senseless and does nothing but aggravate the hardships already felt by communities on the ground. Mindanao in particular has long suffered from unrests. Such attacks insult the efforts of advocates and the people on the ground to pursue peace.

We urge the government to assert the full extent of the law in pursuing these perpetrators. We can never fully enjoy the fruits of human rights until unrest persists. We all deserve to live a dignified life. ###