The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has stressed the need to support victims of terrorism and their families as the world commemorated the International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism on August 21.
"Terrorism is an issue that is faced by every nationality worldwide and no country can consider itself immune from its threats," said CHR spokesperson Atty. Jacqueline Ann de Guia.
In the Philippines, the armed conflict in Marawi between government security forces and the extremist Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)-affiliated groups is one such threat.
The clash led to over 160 casualties from the government security force and 47 non-combatants. At the same time, over 300,000 individuals were internally displaced. De Guia said this "is a shocking display of how the actions of few individuals can sow fear and shatter the lives of individuals and countless communities."
Not all families and individuals displaced by the armed conflict are able to return home even after three years have elapsed since the Marawi siege.
While Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) has made strides to reconstruct areas outside of ground zero, the CHR said that the Most Affected Area (MAA) or ground zero of the Marawi siege still remains to be uninhabitable and off-limits to its former residents. The residents are forced to live in evacuation centers or with their relatives.
De Guia said that supporting victims of terrorism and their families is a "moral imperative" based on the duties of the state to respect, protect, and fulfill the rights of its citizens.
"It is also an effective means of countering terrorism which aims to alienate communities and divide our societies," she added. "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."
In order to help, the CHR called on the government to approve House Bill 3418, the “Marawi Compensation Bill.” This will compensate individuals and families that lost their livelihood and homes during the Marawi siege.
The CHR said that it condemns all forms of terrorism and actions that encourage discord and instill fear and disruption in the lives of individuals.
It likewise supports the government in its efforts to curb terrorism and protect its citizens from extremist attacks.
However, it said 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 purposes 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," said De Guia.