NEWS | ATL intensifies human rights violation in Maguindanao, groups call for accountability
By Elaine Diaz
With the passing of the Anti-Terror Law (ATL), the human rights situation in Maguindanao continues to worsen as the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) continue to carry out aerial bombings and military operations forcing families to evacuate. Human rights defenders recorded several death incidents and serious injuries with the latest being the death of two children and a pregnant woman.
Death incidents
Kawagib Moro Human Rights Network, a Bangsamoro rights defenders and organizations based in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), reported that hundreds of families were forced to evacuate brought about by the series of mortar shelling and military operations in communities. The military operations are allegedly against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) by the 6th Infantry Division based in Awang, Maguindanao.
On May 24, 2020, mortar weapons were used to bombard Sitio Zailon of Barangay Kitango, Datu Saudi-Ampatuan killing two children, Aslamiya aged 10, and Sadima aged seven, while wounding several civilians. However, after almost a year since the incident happened, relatives of the victims reported no provision of legal aid.
Furthermore, on December 13, 2020, residents of barangay Sambulawan in Datu Salibao reported eight rounds of mortar fires from the nearby AFP 6th Infantry Division. The shelling injured five civilians who suffered injuries in the head while one died due to serious wounds.
Nonetheless, just two days after the December 13 shelling, residents of Barangay Pusaw in Shariff Saydona Mustapha were targeted by military operations forcing at least 530 families to evacuate. One 35-year-old pregnant woman was killed after being hit on the right side of her neck. Despite this, the local government unit (LGU) only extended 5, 000 peso cash assistance and two sacks of rice to all the families of the victims.
In line with this, the 6th ID admitted to firing several 105-mm Howitzer on December 15 in the adjacent town of Datu Salibo, however, denied the incident at the Shariff Saydona Mustapha municipality. The firing’s purpose was said to chase BIFF elements.
Legal battles
On the other hand, family members reserved their rights not to file a case in fear of reprisal from the AFP. The family of the victims uttered their discontent to the Bangsamoro Human Rights Council for failing to file a case against the military responsible for the attacks.
Due to the inaction by the council, the victims and their families presented their cases to international human rights organizations and bodies for investigation. They urged the human rights organizations to help in holding the military units accountable for the deaths and injuries of their relatives due to mortar shelling, indiscriminate firing, and continuous military operations in their respective communities.
With the lack of justice and support, the families stated that they are forced to abandon the legal battle they can’t afford and prioritize looking for means to provide for their families’ immediate needs.
ATL worsens human rights situation
During the final reading of the ATL last June 3, 2020, Mindanaoan lawmakers rejected the then said bill. In fact, Anak Mindanao Representative Amihilda Sangcopan argued that Islamophobia may worsen with the passing of the ATL.
At present, various groups emphasized how Maguindanao continues to be a hotbed of crossfires between the military and armed combatants such as the BIFF. Amirah Lidasan, spokesperson of Suara Bangsamoro, stated that the ATL fortified the AFP’s counter-terrorism program to indiscriminately identify legitimate groups fighting for justice and self-determination as terrorists.
Furthermore, Lidasan expressed how the ATL vilified the Moro, the Lumad, and the indigenous people as they continue to face religious discrimination, cultural degradation, and militarization.
“‘Bakwit’ or forced evacuation has become a routine for most of the residents of Maguindanao, and even after all these crossfires, aid and assistance remain frail,” she added.
Kawagib and Suara Bangsamoro, together with the families of the victims, continue to demand justice and accountability for the attacks from the state. They called for the removal of military detachments as these endanger their lives, identity, and livelihood.
“They have been the first targets of this law, and this is a reinforcement of the years-long neglect on our right to land and self-determination. The Moro people have been victims of this social injustice since time immemorial, and we will never let that happen any further,” Lidasan asserted.
