Stop airstrikes in Marawi, CHR urges gov’t

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights on Saturday called on the Duterte administration to consider calls from different sectors to cease employing airstrikes in the ongoing clashes in Marawi City. 

 

While stressing that it supports the government’s efforts to impose peace and order in the city, it reminded the military that it should take every precaution to avoid harming civilians and infrastructure.

 

“The airstrikes have not only caused the destruction of buildings and civilian property, but, worse, have resulted in the killing of innocent civilians, including children, and even our own troops,” the CHR said in a statement.

 

On June 1, the Armed Forces of the Philippines disclosed that 11 soldiers had been killed in a case of "friendly fire" when a bomb meant for Maute militants hit Army soldiers instead. The SF-260 turbo-prop aircraft used in the airstrike has been grounded but airstrikes remain an option.

 

READ: Airstrikes still an option despite 'friendly fire' deaths

 

“The airstrikes are a major factor in the internal displacement of civilians within the area and local residents are reporting that members of the criminal Maute band are now engaged in the ransacking of their abandoned homes,” it added.

 

The commission also called on the government, particularly the Department of Social Welfare and Development, to ensure that civilians have adequate food, potable water, sanitation facilities, and waste management in the evacuation areas.

 

The also asked for the provision of special protection to children, pregnant women, elderly, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.

 

“At the same time, we commend the efforts of the peace panels of the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front for brokering a humanitarian ceasefire that allowed for the safe passage and rescue of some 130 civilians, as well as the pool of volunteers who were part of this charitable initiative,” said the CHR. 

 

“The commission believes that, in times of conflict and violence, the State must always ensure to limit the effects of armed conflict, especially for the vulnerable and marginalized sectors,” it added.

 

The agency vowed to continue monitoring the situation on the ground and fulfill its mandate as an independent and impartial constitutional body.

 

The CHR has been the subject of criticism and malicious social media posts for a perceived bias for criminals and against the country's security forces. Among its primary tasks is checking human rights abuses by the government while violations by non-state actors are usually under the jurisdiction of law enforcement agencies like the police.