Child's Rights Network (CRN), the largest alliance of organizations pushing for children's rights legislation in the Philippines, has strongly denounced what it called the "violent attack" that took place within a school gymnasium in Marawi City last Sunday, Dec. 3.
At least four people reportedly died while 46 others were wounded because of an explosion that rocked the Dimaporo Gymnasium of the Mindanao State University (MSU) at 7 a.m. during a Sunday mass.
"This incident blatantly violates the Children in Situations of Armed Conflict Law, which declares schools and places of worship as Zones of Peace," the CRN said in a statement.
"Educational institutions and civilians, including children and young people, must never find themselves in the crosshairs of violence and armed conflict. Attack on schools or places of worship is a grave child rights violation," it said.
The CRN has called on the government to conduct a speedy investigation on the blast and help bring perpetrators to justice.
"We remain committed to our mission to help achieve peace for the children in our country," the CRN said.
"We mourn with the families grappling with the aftermath of this attack," it also said.