Photo by Faisal Camsa, Jr.
The Bangsamoro Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said it is committed to continuing the fight for justice for the nine (9) Moro civilians who were murdered in a gun attack in Kabacan, North Cotabato three years ago on August 29, 2020.
“Kasama niyo kami hanggang sa huli, hinding-hindi namin pababayaan ang inyong kaso,” BHRC Chairperson Atty. Abdul Rashid Kalim told the bereaved families of the victims in a press conference on Tuesday, Aug. 29.
“Hindi po natin pababayaan ang mga Bangsamoro na naninirahan outside BARMM,” he said, adding that
earlier this year the BHRC, in collaboration with the NBI and other sectors, has already filed a case to the Office of the Provincial Prosecutors of North Cotabato.
Eight families of the victims each received P36,000.00 from the BHRC, while two families also received P10,000.00 each. The cash assistance was intended to support the livelihood of the bereaved families.
“Thankful ako sa BHRC kasi isang malaking tulong itong financial assistance sa amin, lalo na sa akin na solo parent nalang. Gagawin ko itong puhunan pangnegosyo at para na rin sa pag-aaral ng anak ko,” said a 22-year-old mother whose husband was slain in the incident.
Legal counsel of the victims, Atty. Allanuddin Hassaan, assured the families that the individuals accountable for the murder will have a place in prison.
Also present during the presscon were BHRC commissioner Archie Buaya, Head of Protection Division Atty. Mumar Ali Succor, and BHRC OIC Provincial head of Special Geographic Area Abdillah Ali.
In September 2020, the Bangsamoro Transition Authority Parliament adopted a resolution strongly condemning the said massacre and requesting the Philippine National Police (PNP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to fast-track the conduct of their investigation so that justice will be brought and that perpetrators of the heinous crime will be immediately punished.
Three years later, families of those who died are still crying for justice. (Myrna Tepadan/BIO)
