"Peace not war."
This was the call aired by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) amidst the reported consecutive aerial bombings in the Cordillera Region carried out by the military as part of its counter-insurgency operations against alleged members of the New Peoples’ Army (NPA).
Citing reports, the CHR said that the bombings and accompanying combat operations have already impacted negatively approximately 2.700 residents in Barangay Maling and neighboring Barangays Dao-angan and Balantoy in Balbalan, Kalinga.
Several other areas within the region have also been affected by similar aerial attacks, it said.
Expressing deep concerns, the CHR said it has tasked its office in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) to launch a thorough investigation in the affected areas to assess the extent of the impact and to ensure that the rights of the affected communities are upheld and protected.
"While the investigation is still underway, it is important to note the potential consequences of such bombings, which may extend beyond immediate physical harm. Civilians' lives could be put at serious risk, livelihoods could be disrupted, and schools could be forced to close, potentially inflicting physical, emotional, and psychological trauma on the affected communities," the CHR warned.
It called on government authorities, especially those in the security sector, to prioritize the protection of civilians in the context of armed conflict. It stressed that all parties involved should strictly adhere to the international humanitarian law and preserve peace at all times possible.
It also said: "In times of conflict, it is the vulnerable, disadvantaged, and marginalised who suffer the most. In the midst of violence and strife, the CHR remains resolute in its efforts to ensure that the voices of the vulnerable are heard and that their rights are not overshadowed."