Press Release (February 8, 2008)

For Immediate Release

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Bangsamoro Center for JustPeace (BCJP), Condemning Massacre of Innocent Civilians in Sulu

Cotabato City (February 8, 2008) – The Bangsamoro Center for JustPeace in the Phil’s. Inc. (BCJP), is strongly condemned the massacre of seven innocent civilians, including two children, two teenagers, one pregnant woman and an off-duty soldier early Monday February 4, 2008 during a military raid on a suspected Abu Sayyaf hideout on a coastal village of Ipil in Maimbung town. Sulu.

BOBBY BENITO, Founding Director of the BCJP said "We condemned the massacre and mutilation of some dead body of civilians and those responsible in the killings of innocent children, pregnant women and other victims must be punished to pay for these heinous crimes." “This is a culpable violations of human rights and inhuman acts committed by Elite Forces of the Armed Forces against innocent civilians and therefore, deserved a highly condemnation,

In a report, government military troops was tracking down a kidnapped victim trader Rosalie Lao, clashed at dawn on Monday with alleged Abu Sayyaf groups in the area where the eight bodies had been found later in the day.

But villagers insisted that the government troops were the responsible for the killing the civilians. "They were just seaweed farmers and not members of the Abu Sayyaf," according to the civilian residents in the area.

The children were shot in the head," some of those killed were shot at sea while escaping the fighting on boat. Some victim’s right forefinger was cut off by “allegedly members of the Philippine Navy's Special Warfare Group and Philippine Army' Light Reaction Company.” ” Benito added.

Those killed were identified as Marisa Payian, 4; Wedme Lahim, 9; Alnalyn Lahim, 15; Sulayman Hakob, 17; Kirah Lahim, 45; Eldisim Lahim, 43; Narcia Abon, 24, all civilians and Pfc. Ibnul Wahid, of the Army's 6th Infantry Division (MNLF Integree).

The BCJP is calling the attention of the House of Congress, House of Senate, the Commission on Human Rights and all Human Rights groups for an immediate and impartial conduct of investigation to give justice to the victims of this tragedy.