Palace welcomes CHR probe on ‘rights violations’ in Marawi

Malacañang on Thursday welcomed the investigation of the Commission on Human Rights on the alleged human rights violations in Marawi , which was recently cleared of almost all Maute-ISIS bandits that laid siege to the city over the past months.

Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella defended the Armed Forces of the Philippines amid allegations of rights violations, saying that the troops observe “primacy to the principles of human rights and international humanitarian law”.

“We welcome the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) review and investigation of the action of state security forces in Marawi in connection with human rights. This ensures adherence to the rule of law which is vital in upholding democracy,” Abella said at a briefing in Malacañang.

“It continues to work with the CHR to ensure that no violation is committed by its units on the ground in connection with military operations, whether or not there is martial law,” he added.

The CHR has reportedly started looking into complaints of human rights violations in Marawi City.

The ISIS-inspired Maute group attacked Marawi City on May 22, prompting President Rodrigo Duterte to cut his visit to Russia short and declare martial law in Mindanao.

Duterte on Tuesday declared Marawi free of terrorists after around five months of fighting to mark the start of the rehabilitation phase.

Despite the announcement, troops were still pursuing around 20 terrorists, including Marawi siege financier Mahmud Ahmad who was believed to have been killed in a recent operation. —NB, GMA News