The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has denounced the May 19 bombing during a Catholic mass in a chapel in Cotabato City where two women worshipers were injured.

In a statement, the CHR said the incident was "a deplorable act of violence that has no place in society."

The CHR said that police reports stated that two unidentified men on a motorbike tossed a grenade into the entrance of the Sto. Niño Chapel in Purok Bagong Silang in Barangay Rosary Heights 3, Cotabato City. Sharpnels from the grenade injured Marybel Atis, 40, and Rosita Tubilo, 65, who were promptly treated by barangay emergency responders.

"The Commission deplores all acts of violence, especially those targeted against groups who identify with certain religious beliefs, as these run counter to the progress that we have reached towards promoting religious freedom across the country," the CHR said. 

It lamented that the Cotabato City incident was the second bombing during a Catholic mass.  The first was last Dec. 5, 2023 in Marawi City, it said. 

"As the country’s national human rights institution, we continue to sound the alarm on the prevalence of these incidents," the CHR said. 

"We echo the call that people of faith should be able to freely exercise their beliefs as this is enshrined in both domestic policies and international human rights standards," it stressed. 

"We reiterate that all forms of violence do not bring any merit to anyone, and merely sow fear across societies and prompt a vicious cycle of conflict against groups," it also said.

It lauded the efforts of the Cotabato City police to investigate the incident to ensure that accountability is exacted upon the perpetrators.

It said: "A peaceful environment is necessary for every Filipino to thrive and be able to freely exercise their religious freedom. After all, a vital component to ensuring a harmonious society is that all citizens feel safe and protected."