MANILA: Two civilians were killed by government soldiers who mistook them for New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Compostela Valley, a military officer disclosed yesterday.
Maj Gen Eduardo Ano, commander of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, said two soldiers, assigned with the 66th Infantry Battalion who were directly involved, are now under custody and facing further investigation.
Ano said soldiers from the battalion were sent to barangay Manurigao in New Bataan town on Sunday after receiving reports that NPA rebels were laying improvised bombs and planning ambush against soldiers who will be involved in a later medical mission.
Ano said the two slain civilians, identified as Lando Sabado, 40 and his 16-year-old son Felix, both from the Lumad tribe, were unarmed.
THE PHILIPPINE STAR
