The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has strongly condemned the killings of Mohammad Usman Alamada, a municipal councilor in Buluan, and Elvin Moires, a Teduray Indigenous People (IP) leader, in two separate incidents that occurred on 15 September 2024 in Maguindanao del Sur. The Commission has launched an independent investigation into these killings to determine the circumstances behind the tragedies.
Initial police reports indicate that Alamada was gunned down while standing with his companions near a roadside restaurant. In another incident, Moires was shot after attending a tribal wedding ceremony in Barangay South Upi. Both men were declared dead at the scene due to multiple gunshot wounds.
Local authorities responded swiftly, initiating efforts to identify and apprehend the perpetrators. The CHR acknowledged their quick response but emphasized the urgency of delivering justice to the victims’ families. The Commission has raised concerns over the growing trend of violence in recent months, which has claimed the lives of local officials and, most recently, an indigenous leader.
While the CHR is conducting its motu proprio investigation, it has called for transparency and cooperation from all stakeholders involved. The Commission also urged the Philippine government to take immediate and decisive action to protect the right to life of every Filipino, particularly with the national elections fast approaching.
The CHR underscored the importance of ensuring a secure environment where Filipinos can engage in political activities without fear of violence. It stressed that a democratic nation must enable its citizens to participate freely in political affairs, especially during election periods.
Moreover, the Commission highlighted the need for greater protection of indigenous peoples, calling for increased awareness of their challenges and the implementation of laws and policies that safeguard their rights and well-being. Indigenous communities, often marginalized and vulnerable to harassment and violence, require comprehensive measures to ensure their safety.
The CHR reiterated that violence, in any form, threatens the nation’s progress toward peace and stability. It called on every Filipino to contribute to fostering a violence-free society that upholds democracy and human rights.
