Galvez condemns ‘barbaric’ Kabacan killings

Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. on Monday decried the “barbaric attack” that claimed nine lives in Kabacan, North Cotabato over the weekend.

At least five armed men used high-powered long arms to kill nine motorcycle riders, according to Kabacan police. 

“This barbaric attack shows the great lengths these lawless elements will go through to sow fear, anger and discord among the people,” Galvez said in a statement.

“We believe that no person in the right frame of mind would carry out such a crime against humanity, more so, to take away precious, innocent lives,” he added.

Galvez also condoled with the bereaved families of the victims and vowed to provide them with assistance.

“Despite the emotional trauma this tragedy has brought all of us, we would like to call on our countrymen for sobriety and restraint,” he said.

Galvez said that the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities and the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group “will leave no stone unturned” in the investigation.

The government's peace implementing panel of the GPH-MILF peace accord earlier said the attack was “unacceptable” while the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao vowed to conduct an independent probe.  — Julia Mari Ornedo/BM, GMA News