TWO children died and four others were injured when their residence was bombed by still unidentified suspects in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town in Maguindanao on Sunday during the celebration of Eid’l Fitr or the end of Ramadan.
The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao regional government denounced the mortar shelling against the hapless civilians as “totally inhumane and evil, occurring as it did on what is supposed to be a festive day of Eid’l Fitr.”
“It also compounds the present difficulties of our people as they struggle through with the COVID-19 pandemic. Only the heartless criminals can commit such a wicked act,” the BARMM said in a statement.
The BARMM asked the PNP and the military to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation of the “tragedy” and bring the perpetrators to justice “no matter who they are affiliated to.”
“This gruesome crime must not be left to pass into an unsolved incident,” the BARMM added.
It urged the BARMM regional human rights commission “to initiate its own investigation as it assured it will do everything to secure justice of the victims of the senseless tragedy.”
Police said the 81 mm mortar round exploded at around 4:15 p.m. at the victims’ residence in Barangay Kitango, killing 10-year-old Aslamia Tambak and her seven-year-old sister, Sadam.
Their mother Nosaisa, 38, and their sibling, five-year-old Norsaid were also injured, along with 10-year-old Datu Joehad Singh and Mohamiden Zaidon.
Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the AFP Western Mindanao Command based in Zamboanga City, has ordered a probe on the attack, according to Wesmincom spokesman Maj. Arvin Encinas.
“Our commander (Sobejana) has issued a directive to conduct investigation to determine the circumstance of the explosion,” Encinas said, adding the probe will be done in coordination with the PNP.
Before the attack, Encinas said two armed men aboard a motorcycle shot dead three members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in the barangay at around 11:34 a.m. also on Sunday.
Encinas could not immediately say if the shooting was related to the explosion. “That’s why we are having a thorough investigation to determine if they (two incidents) are connected or not,” said Encinas.
He said there were no soldiers in the area at that time of the attack, implying the military was not involved. “There was no ongoing operation in the area during that time of the incident,” he said.
Encinas said armed groups are known to be using the crew-served 81 mm mortars. He said these types of weapons were among those that were handed over by individuals who surrendered to the military in the past.
FOOD PACKS DISTRIBUTED
The Eastern Police District distributed food packs to its Muslim personnel in celebration of Eid’l Fitr.
Brig. Gen Johnson Almazan, EPD director, led the distribution of the relief goods to 63 Muslim PNP personnel at the Pasig City Hall grounds.
“This occasion marks a distinct character of Filipino culture that observes high respect for religious freedom that affords unity and equality for all, regardless of faith or ethnic division,” Almazan said.
