Death of 6 civilians in Datu Piang, Maguindanao, violation of international humanitarian law, AFP should be held accountable

Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan condemned today the irresponsible attack of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in a civilian area in Datu Piang, Maguindanao last Monday, which killed six people, wounded and displaced many others, in the continuing effort to hunt Moro Islamic Liberation Front Commander Umbra Kato. “What the AFP did is a violation of the International Humanitarian Law which states that the State is responsible for the protection of the people living in conflict areas and not participating in the war. They are especially accountable for the safety of women and children who are the most vulnerable targets of war. As it turned out, it is the supposed guardians who violated this law,” the Mindanaoan solon said.

“The government should conduct an investigation into the irresponsible actions of its military, especially after reports that the forces hunting down the MILF used bomber aircrafts to indiscriminately fire at civilians resulting to the death of six members of the Manunggal family, including four children and an unborn child.”

Ilagan wants the government to immediately conduct an investigation and punish the military personnel involved in this recent atrocity to give justice to Aida Mandi Manunggal, 23, pregnant, and her children Bailyn, 10, Zukarudin, 7 Adtayan, 5 and Faida 2.

The victims, along with their neighbors in Barangay Te, were caught in the crossfire and were fleeing for safer ground on board a banca when an OV-10 aircraft dropped a bomb which exploded near their location. Their bodies, once recovered, were riddled with shrapnel.

Manunggal’s husband, Daya, and her son, Khneg, both wounded, are still missing.

“To stop the human rights violations against innocent people in conflict areas, the Malacanang should immediately order a ceasefire and a pull-out of AFP troops from Mindanao,” Ilagan said.