MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, July 9 (PIA) -- The promotion of human rights should be everybody’s concern.
This was emphasized by Atty. Galuash ‘Bong’ Ballaho, commissioner of the Regional Human Rights Commission (RHRC) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) during the inauguration of its field office in the city Monday, July 8.
He said human rights issues are a major problem in the region but this is now slowly changing.
Ballaho said their office is collaborating with other agencies for potential solutions to these issues citing their convergence program with the security sector in the region that is now gaining positive results.
The RHRC monitors family feuds (rido) and helps in the reconciliation of warring parties with the support of local government units and non-government organizations, he added.
Since most of human rights violations arise from armed conflict, Ballaho said they are monitoring the peace process and the flight of internally-displaced persons (IDPs) and evacuees.
So far, there are no reported IDPs in the province, he said.
The RHRC is an independent office that has the same powers and mandate as the national Commission on Human Rights. It was created by virtue of Section 16 of Republic Act No.9054 and operationalized by Muslim Mindanao Act No. 288 or the ARMM Human Rights Commission Charter of 2012 authored by Assemblyman Zia-ur Rahman A. Adiong.
Lawyer Abdel Jamal Disangcopan, head of the RHRC Marawi Field Office, meanwhile thanked the provincial government for giving them space at the provincial capitol complex.
He also expressed appreciation for the positive reception from human rights partners and stakeholders in the province.
He said the opening of the field office will ensure that human rights issues in the area will be addressed in line with the "Daang Matuwid (straight path)" espoused by President Aquino and ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman.
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