CHR to launch own probe on Jolo twin bombings

FILE: Explosions transpire in Sulu
Camp Navarro, Calarian, Zamboanga City- August 24, 2020. (Photo: Western Mindanao Command/Facebook)

MANILA – The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Tuesday strongly condemned the “cruel and inhuman” twin explosions in Jolo, Sulu, vowing to launch its own investigation to make perpetrators accountable for the crime.

In a statement, CHR spokesperson Jacquiline Ann de Guia said bombings were attacks against innocent civilians, leaving 14 people, including seven soldiers and a police officer dead, and injured 77 others.

“CHR continues to denounce the reprehensible harm caused by terrorism and every intent of terrorists to sow nothing but fear and conflict, especially at a time when the country is in the midst of a pandemic,” de Guia said.

She said the CHR through its regional office will investigate the bombing incidents “in aid of pursuing justice.”

“We extend our sympathies to the families and loved ones of those who died because of this senseless violence, as we pray for the healing of those who have been hurt,” de Guia said.

She said the deadly explosions came at a time when the country observes the International Humanitarian Law month.

“We call out the perpetrators of this bombing for their blatant disregard for protection granted to civilians against such assaults,” she said. “As this year’s theme stresses, preserving human dignity is a shared responsibility and we, likewise, urge non-State parties to respective this call in defense of human rights.”

De Guia extended the CHR’s sympathies to the families and loved ones of the victims of the “senseless violences.”

“We pray for the healing of those who have been hurt,” she said.

She also called on the government to investigate the incident “in line with government’s obligation to uphold and protect human rights of all.”

According to the reports, the first explosion happened around 11:53 a.m. on Monday along Serrantes Street in Barangay Walled City in Jolo, while the second explosion occurred around 1:06 p.m. just 100 meters away from the first blast site.