CHR probes kid's death in Basilan clash

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has launched an investigation into the death of a child who was caught in a crossfire during a military operation against the Abu Sayyaf in Tabuan Lasa, Basilan last week.

A one-year-old girl was hit by a bullet in the head while she was sleeping inside her family’s house amid a military offensive against the Abu Sayyaf.

Aside from the one-year-old girl, a local human rights advocate identified as Billamin Hassan and his companion were also killed in a supposed law enforcement operation, in what human rights group branded as a case of “extrajudicial killing.”

CHR Western Mindanao director Frederick Ian Capin said the commission has received the official complaint of the family members of other two persons who were killed in the operation.

Capin said, the CHR may request for the exhumation of the child’s remains for a post-mortem investigation, with the aim of determining what type of bullet hit the victim’s head.

The investigation would also focus on the trajectory of the bullets and the position of the operating units involved in the law enforcement operation.

Capin said, the investigating team would also summon the soldiers and policemen who took part in the operation to give them the opportunity to explain and defend themselves from any allegations.

The investigation will also try to determine if the operating units violated the rules of engagement.

MILITARY SORRY OVER DEATH

Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief Maj. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. said, another child was also wounded in the operation after being caught in the crossfire.

Galvez apologized to the family of the two children for the unfortunate incident.

He said, the military was running after a certain Moblin Kulin alias Mulawin, an alleged Abu Sayyaf member who had a standing arrest warrant for kidnapping and serious illegal detention.

Galvez said, the operating units successfully killed Kulin, although they failed to recover his remains.

He also tagged Hassan as a member of the bandit group, an allegation denied by Hassan's family.

Galvez said, he personally visited the wounded child in a hospital in Zamboanga City and promised the family that the military will shoulder all the medical expenses.

He also gave assurance to cooperate in the CHR’s investigation to determine if his troops committed any violations in the conduct of the operation.