The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) decries the recent number of killings of village executives in Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur. It is most concerning that at least 4 incidents of ambush of barangay officials, which killed 4 village executives and 2 wives, have already been reported in these areas in the first 4 months of this year.

The latest ambush incident, which was reportedly carried out by two unidentified gunmen on 8 April 2023, resulted in the death of Abdulmalik Uban, barangay councilor of Barangay Polloc, Parang town, Maguindanao del Norte, and his wife Salma Uban. In Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur, Danny Angkay, the barangay captain of Lebak, Sultan Kudarat was also allegedly shot dead by assailants upon arriving in the town to visit a sick relative.

CHR Region XII, in cooperation with the Bangsamoro Human Rights Commission, is conducting its parallel motu propio investigations on these brazen violations on the right to life. We recognize the efforts of the Parang Municipal Police to organize a Special Investigation Task Force to thoroughly investigate the case and identify the perpetrators.

Less than a month ago, CHR has also taken cognizance ^[1] of another shooting of a barangay official in Maguindanao del Sur. On 15 March 2023, Hadji Basit Zangkala, chairperson of Barangay Labu-labu in the town of Datu Hofer, was slain by motorcyle-riding men while sitting inside his parked car according to police report.

Early this year, the village captain of Barangay Polloc in Parang, Maguindanao del Norte was also ambushed together with his wife along national highway. According to the town’s police chief, on 30 January 2023, Abobakar Abdul and his wife Bainisa were on their way home when two motorcycle-riding gunmen overtook their vehicle and opened fire on the driver’s side.

The numerous incidents of killings of barangay officials and other government officials ^[2] in recent months necessitate utmost urgency. This culture of violence degrades the socio-political landscape of the said areas. It undermines democracy by creating a culture of fear and insecurity in communities that can impact the ability of people to make free and empowered decisions, especially in socio-political matters. Moreover, the targeting and killing of elected officials, who are supposed to represent the people, deprives the community of the representation they voted for, and it also disrupts the delivery of services due to sudden vacuum in key positions.

Amid the upcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in October 2023, it is incumbent upon all concerned government agencies to ensure heightened alertness and implement preventive mechanisms, especially in hotspot election areas, to prevent further violence and similar attacks.

As we persist with our independent probe, we continue to call on local authorities for the swift investigation and prosecution of these cases and all incidents that denigrate the right to life. We cannot overemphasize the importance of ensuring accountability of perpetrators to genuinely curb impunity and address the culture of violence. It is imperative upon the State as duty-bearer to ensure the safety of communities and foster an environment conducive to the human rights of all.

#StoptheKillings

^[1] Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on the killings of barangay officials in Cebu and Maguindanao del Sur: https://chr.gov.ph/statement-of-the-commission-on-human-rights-on-the-killings-of-barangay-officials-in-cebu-and-maguindanao-del-sur/

^[2] Statement of the Commission on Human Rights condemning the recent spate of violence and killings targeting government officials https://chr.gov.ph/statement-of-the-commission-on-human-rights-condemning-the-recent-spate-of-violence-and-killings-targeting-government-officials/