The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said it respects the extension of martial in Mindanao but remained steadfast in its stance that the government should “hold to account both state and non-state actors responsible for the atrocities committed against the local residents.”
The CHR on Friday said, “There is also a need to investigate allegations of looting by the military, unlawful/arbitrary arrests, military presence in IDP camps, cases of profiling, military harassment, enforced disappearance, torture, and extrajudicial killings.”
The commission added that without martial law, the government troops can still overcome terrorism threats but since majority has voted for its extension for one more year, they are hoping that it will work according to how it was envisioned and not be “tarnished by human rights violations.”
(DAILY NEWS ROUND UP FOR 12/ 16 / 17)