Call for justice for the victims of human rights violation in Maguindanao province

Dear friends,

Please join us in our call for justice for the four-month old child victim of indiscriminate firing and the call to surface Mohammad Abdulkarim and his 14-year-old son Mehad Mohammad.

These cases continue to show that the military’s presence in the communities endanger civilians, especially children.

Below is the account based on the initial report received by Karapatan:

Enforced Disappearance of father and son

Dear friends,

Please join us in our call for justice for the four-month old child victim of indiscriminate firing and the call to surface Mohammad Abdulkarim and his 14-year-old son Mehad Mohammad.

These cases continue to show that the military’s presence in the communities endanger civilians, especially children.

Below is the account based on the initial report received by Karapatan:

Enforced Disappearance of father and son

On July 3, 2014, Mohammad Abdulkarim and his son Mehad Mohammad were stopped by members of the 45th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army at a checkpoint in Brgy. Meta, Datu Unsay, Maguindanao. Witnesses reported the two were taken into military custody soon after they were stopped at the checkpoint.

Abdulkarim’s relative went to the Army’s detachment and inquired about the father and son. But, the military reported they already released the two.

The whereabouts of Mohammad Abdulkarim and Mehad Mohammad are still unknown as of this writing.

A few days after the abduction, soldiers of the 45th IB were seen near the home of Mohammad. The family believes the military may be conducting surveillance activities on their community.

Strafing of civilian homes leave a baby injured

On the evening of June 7, 2014, Mohammad Panigas and his family were preparing to go to bed when they heard several shots fired.

Mohammad’s wife quickly picked up their four-month old baby from the cradle and saw the child wounded in his left leg. The couple sought their neighbors’ help to bring the child to the hospital.

Not far away from the Mohammad’s home is the detachment of the 22nd Mechanized Brigade of the Philippine Army.