A bishop of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines called for the military in Surigao del Sur to disband tribal militias and abide the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law. (CARHRIHL).
A Moro group blasted Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Mujiv Hataman’s all-out war pronouncement against Abu Sayyaf and warned that Malacanang-backed military offensives may also target innocent civilians
A human rights spokesperson said the tribal warrior Bagani forces in Surigao del Sur are controlled and supported by the military.
About 20 students of Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation, Incorporated (MISFI) Academy in Kapalong, Davao del Norte, were reported to have been in the group who were fired upon by members of the tribal militia, called Alamara.
At least 1, 783 individuals equivalent to 378 families from different tribal communities in Surigao del Sur were forced to evacuate their communities due to intensified military operations, a human rights spokesperson said Wednesday.