GPH panel chair: Kabacan killings ‘unacceptable’

The government's peace implementing panel of the GPH-MILF peace accord condemned the Kabacan, Cotabato massacre that claimed the lives of nine individuals over the weekend.

In a statement on Monday, GPH panel chairman Undersecretary David Diciano stressed that blatant disregard of the rule of law is "unacceptable in a democratic society that puts premium to human rights and peace and order."

"Such violence weakens human security especially during these trying times as we grapple with the effects of the health crisis," Diciano said.

"The GPH Panel is one with the Bangsamoro Government, our Moro brothers and sisters, LGUs of the Municipality of Kabacan and Province of Cotabato, and other residents in Kabacan, Cotabato on voicing our shared aim to exact due justice to this kind of violence which is an example of sheer disrespect of life and law and order," he added.

Police earlier said the victims were killed in an attack by at least five armed men shortly after 12 noon on Saturday in Barangay Aringa. The victims were on motorcycles and were headed to the town center when the suspects shot them using high-powered firearms.

An investigation is ongoing, police have said.

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao government also denounced the incident as it vowed to seek an independent investigation into the massacre-style murders of the nine victims.

Meanwhile, according to Diciano, the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities and the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group were already tasked to exert effort to prevent the recurrence of violence while law enforcers investigate the incident.

"We ask everyone to exercise restraint especially at this time where respect for law and strengthening of our democratic institutions are our best recourse to address such violence," Diciano said.

"May we further strengthen our commitment to peace and firm resolve to end the culture of violence especially as we celebrate the Peace Month this September," he added.

Diciano also condoled with the grieving families of the victims. — BM, GMA News