The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has condemned the “inhumane” attack of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) on Filipino soldiers in Patikul, Sulu last April 17, which claimed the lives of 11 Philippine Army troopers and wounded 14 others.
Lawyer Jacqueline Ann de Guia, CHR spokesperson, lamented the fact that three of the soldiers were even brutally hacked, and she considered this act as “a blatant assault against human dignity.”
“It is most unfortunate that our soldiers’ lives are the cost of securing peace in our communities,” she said.
The attack was committed despite the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) amidst the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
“We offer our prayers and sympathies to the families of our fallen soldiers. And in honor of the sacrifices of our heroes, we call on the government to ensure assistance to the bereaved families,” said de Guia. (Czarina Nicole Ong Ki)