4 unarmed soldiers slain

DAVAO CITY—Four soldiers were killed in an ambush by suspected communist guerrillas in a remote barangay in Paquibato District here on Sunday afternoon.

Col. Lyndon Paniza, spokesperson of the Philippine Army’s 10th Infantry Division, said the soldiers were on their way back to camp after taking part in a peace and development program in Barangay Mapula.

Paniza identified the four as Privates First Class Ahian Vir Dolero, Marvin Lauronal and Noel Sigan and Pvt. Marcelo Himaya.

Himaya, who was able to run from the attack, was initially reported missing until his body was found Monday morning several meters from the ambush scene.

Paniza believed Himaya, whose body bore several wounds, was summarily executed.

The soldiers were part of an 11-man team deployed to Mapula for the Army’s peace and development program being implemented in communities nationwide.

Last year, New People’s Army guerrillas killed a soldier identified only as Private First Class Mansiwagan in Mapula, a known communist stronghold.

Paniza called on the Communist Party of the Philippines to investigate what he called a clear violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, saying that “the soldiers were not armed at the time of the incident.”

He said the soldiers were considered noncombatants being with the peace and development program. Ayan C. Mellejor, Inquirer Mindanao