CHR condemns NPA Abra attack

The Commission on Human Rights in the Cordillera region strongly condemned the New People's Army's senseless attack against soldiers who were on their way to render humanitarian assistance in Abra.

This comes after state troops were ambushed by rebels on 27 October en route to augment military forces in Licuaan-Baay, Abra rendering humanitarian assistance following the 6.4 magnitude earthquake.

Two soldiers were killed in the ambush in Barangay Gacab, Malibcong while one is reported still missing.

According to the CHR, this act deserves the highest and strongest term of condemnation.

"The CHR-CAR joins the peace loving people of Cordillera, in highly condemning this act of heartless and senseless attack against those soldiers on Humanitarian Assistance Mission to victims of the latest earthquake in Abra," based on the commission's statement

It also stressed that there is no place in the civilized world for such barbaric acts of ambushing individuals whose intention is to render assistance during this time of public distress.

"The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states, that everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person. Therefore, respect for human rights, especially the right to life is everyone's moral and legal obligation," the CHR said.

According to the commission, the NPAs attack on those few soldiers in the time of public distress reveals their disregard to respect said right to life of the victims.

Instead of extending a helping hand to those who were greatly affected by the earthquake, they took advantage of the public calamity and to ambush government forces whose hearts and minds were set to help to help those who were in distress.

"We are therefore calling on all peace loving people of Cordillera and all human rights defenders and advocates to join hands and unite in condemning these enemies of peace and order and violators of human rights. Also, we appeal to those who can provide the livan information to come out and help the authorities investigating this flyable incident that just this may be saved as soon as as soon as possible time," said the CHR.