The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has strongly condemned the attack made by alleged members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) against police officers and soldiers on Thursday evening in Datu Piang, Maguindanao.
The alleged BIFF members reportedly harassed police officers in Datu Piang and exchanged gunfire with the police and soldier stationed in the area. Thankfully, no casualties were reported.
However, a police patrol car was set on fire by the reported BIFF militants during that night.
"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," CHR Spokesperson Atty. Jacqueline Ann de Guia said in a statement.
"Mindanao in particular has long suffered from unrests. Such attacks insult the efforts of advocates and the people on the ground to pursue peace," she added.
The CHR is urging the government to assert the full extent of the law in pursuing the perpetrators and holding them accountable for their actions.
"We can never fully enjoy the fruits of human rights until unrest persists. We all deserve to live a dignified life," affirmed de Guia.