CHR probes recent killings of brgy. officials in Maguindanao

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Tuesday said it has launched an investigation on the recent killings of barangay officials in Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur.

The motu propio probe will be conducted by CHR Region XII in cooperation with the Bangsamoro Human Rights Commission, the CHR said in a statement.

“We recognize the efforts of the Parang Municipal Police to organize a Special Investigation Task Force to thoroughly investigate the case and identify the perpetrators,” it said.

In Maguindanao del Norte, two unidentified gunmen killed Abdulmalik Uban, barangay councilor of Barangay Polloc, Parang town, and his wife Salma Uban last April 8.

The gunmen also allegedly shot Danny Angkay, the barangay captain of Lebak, Sultan Kudarat, upon arriving in Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur to visit a sick relative.

Meanwhile, Hadji Basit Zangkala, chairperson of Barangay Labu-labu in the town of Datu Hofer, was also killed by motorcycle-riding men while sitting inside his parked car on March 15.

In Parang, Maguindanao del Norte, Barangay Polloc captain Abobakar Abdul and his wife Bainisa were on their way home when two motorcycle-riding gunmen overtook their vehicle and opened fire on the driver's side last January 30.

The CHR said the recent killings of barangay and government officials necessitate “utmost urgency.”

“This culture of violence degrades the socio-political landscape of the said areas. It undermines democracy by creating a culture of fear and insecurity in communities that can impact the ability of people to make free and empowered decisions, especially in socio-political matters,” it said.

The commission said the killing of elected officials deprived the community of the representation they voted for and disrupted delivery of services due to sudden vacant positions.

The CHR urged government agencies to ensure heightened alert and implement preventive mechanisms to prevent violence and similar attacks amid upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in October 2023.

It also called local authorities for the swift probe and prosecution of these cases. —Richa Noriega/KBK, GMA Integrated News