Human rights and environmental protection groups in the Cordillera, led by the Cordillera Human Rights Alliance (CHRA), has successfully compelled the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to respond to their long-time demand to conduct an investigation into the multiple aerial bombings by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the region’s provinces.

The CHRA said they have been pushing for the investigation since the Duterte regime.

“We submitted several requests for investigations to the CHR and we strongly reject previous claims made by representatives of the CHR Regional Office in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CHR-CAR), which denied bombing incidents or dismissed their impact on the communities,” CHRA stated on August 20.

CHRA recorded four incidents of aerial bombing in the region under the Marcos regime. They occurred in Kalinga, Abra, and some parts of Ilocos Sur. CHRA reiterated a case of aerial bombing under the Duterte regime in the town of Malibcong, Abra in March 2017 where the military used white phosphorus. This chemical causes immense damage and suffering especially if used in crowded areas. Its use is expressly prohibited under international humanitarian law.

“We support and urge the CHR to conduct independent, urgent, and transparent investigation into these incidents and to release findings to affected communities and concerned organizations and institutions,” the CHRA called.