Soldiers in Atimonan ‘shootout’ restricted to barracks

Police pass by the bullet-riddled vehicle of suspected criminals along a road in the town of Atimonan in Quezon province, about 140 kilometers (100 miles) southeast of Manila, Philippines late Sunday Jan. 7, 2013. Philippine army special forces and police killed 13 suspected criminals in a gunbattle Sunday in the latest violence to erupt in the country in the past week. AP/Aaron Favila

MANILA, Philippines – The 25 soldiers involved in an alleged shootout in Atimonan, Quezon that left out 13 people dead early this month have been restricted to their barracks pending the investigation of the case, the military said.

Spokesman Colonel Generoso Bolina of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Southern Luzon Command told reporters this will ensure their availability during the investigation.

He clarified that the soldiers have not been relieved.

They are also not allowed to join AFP operations.

“They can’t obtain passes, they can’t conduct any operation, they can’t participate in training, but they will be ready at their area in Candelaria, Quezon, where they are based,” Bolina said.

He said the soldiers have been instructed to deal first with the ongoing investigation on the alleged shootout in Atimonan, Quezon.