Army probes death of anti-mining tribal leader’s wife, kids in Davao del Sur

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Army is investigating if government forces violated rules of engagement during an operation in Davao del Sur Thursday which left the wife and two children of an anti-mining tribal leader dead.

A Board of Inquiry was formed to investigate how a joint police and military operation to capture B’laan anti-mining activist Daguil Capion left the tribal leader’s wife and minor children dead, Army 10th Infantry Division spokesman Ltc Lyndon Paniza told INQUIRER.net.

The military has claimed that the three were killed in crossfire in Kimlawis village in Kiblawan town between the 30-strong government forces and the camp of Capion, who along with his brother is wanted by authorities for a number of anti-mining attacks in Mindanao.

Capion is opposed to the entry of Xstrata’s Sagittarius Mines Inc. in South Cotabato and Davao del Sur, claiming that the area where the mining firm operates is part of their ancestral domain.

The soldiers involved, headed by Battalion Commander Lieutenant Colonel Alexis Bravo of the 27th Infantry Battalion based in South Cotabato, were ordered to report at the Army’s 10th Infantry Division in Davao for further investigation, Paniza said.

“He is recalled for investigation,” 10th Infantry Division Commander Brigadier General Ariel Bernardo said.

The incident led to the relief of company commander First Lieutenant Dante Jimenez and two others.

“It follows that the men there, the squad, the company commander are relieved for investigation, and the battalion commander is recalled for investigation,” he said.

“But all the results of the investigation would determine if there is violation up to what level, the command responsibility, whether it goes up to the battalion commander,” Jimenez said.