Madiing kinondena ng Commission on Human Rights (CHR) ang paggamit ng New People’s Army (NPA) ng “f improvised explosive devices ” o IEDs sa mga inilunsad nilang opensiba laban sa mga puwersa ng gobyerno sa Masbate kamakailan.
Pinuna din ng CHR na ang pag-atake ay ikinasa malapit lamang sa isang pampublikong paaralan sa Barangay Locso-on noong Marso 22.
“This violent act goes directly against the very principles of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL). We further note that according to news reports, the IED was detonated near a public elementary school in Barangay Locso-on, leaving two soldiers and a minor injured,” ang pahayag ng CHR.
Iginiit ng ahensiya na ang mga paaralan ay dapat na napapanatili na “peace zones.”
Pagdidiin pa ng CHR na walang anumang ideolohiya na maaring maging katuwiran para malagay sa panganib ang buhay, kalayaan at seguridad ng mga Filipino.
“We have always called for the end of armed conflict and the grave consequences it imposes upon those involved and those affected. Time and again, we have witnessed the harrowing impacts and violations to the fundamental human rights and dignity these encounters bring to society,” sabi pa ng CHR.
Una nang kinondena ng United Nations’ Human Rights Council (UN HRC) ang gawain ng mga rebeldeng-komunista.
“The continued use by New People’s Army of mines and improvised explosive devices that kill and maim civilians in wanton violation of IHL is unacceptable,” ani UN-HRC.