Man, son shot dead by soldier who thought he was being attacked by insurgents

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – A father and his son were killed when fired at by soldiers in Barangay (village) Andap in New Bataan, Compostela Valley dawn of October 11.

The victims, Rolando Dagansan and his 16-year old son Felix, were on their way home from their farm when soldiers fired at them.

The Dagansans were hiking through a small path in Sitio Taytayan in Barangay Andap at around 4 a.m. when they chanced upon a group of soldiers belonging to the 66th Infantry Battalion.

The military’s Eastern Mindanao Command has already directed a full investigation in cooperation with the Philippine National Police and declared that it will respect the result of the investigation.

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The platoon involved in the shooting was recalled, disarmed and is now under the custody of their battalion.

Initial reports from a human rights group said the bodies were peppered with bullets and their faces had been disfigured. One of Rolando’s arms was dismembered by the gunshot wounds he sustained.

Lt. Col. Michael Logico, commander of the 66th IB, claimed in a statement issued on Wednesday that the platoon was in the area in a legitimate clearing operations to secure the path for a military medical mission in the nearby village.

“At around 4 a.m., while traversing the trail of the previous encounter site, the lead soldier was taken by surprise by two flashlights that were beamed at his direction at a distance of 5 meters, followed by voices shouting, “Sundalo! Sundalo!” (Soldiers! Soldiers!) The lead element, blinded by the light, sensed instant and overwhelming danger to his life. Perceiving no other option to save his life and his comrades, he opened fire at the general direction of the light. Seconds later, the platoon leader ordered a ceasefire and search. Two bodies were recovered and no firearms were found,” Logico said.

“We are deeply saddened by the circumstances that transpired, and more so because the very reason the soldiers are in the area is to protect the people,” Logico said.

“We want to extend all the support we can give the family of the victims. We also want to give our assurance that there will be no cover-up. We will cooperate with the investigation of the PNP and will take appropriate action based on their findings,” he added.

But the apology was followed by a tirade against the communist movement blaming the New People’s Army for the lives lost during the incident.

“It is very saddening that this 45 year conflict brought about by the NPA’s insistence on an armed struggle continues to claim lives. For 45 years they have deceived youngsters to toil and die their ambitions, and for 45 years they have robbed the Filipinos in the countryside of a normal life. Those who died while directly involved in the fighting, those who died as a result of stray bullets, those who died of landmines and mistaken identity—the root cause of all these is this continuous armed struggle that the Communist Party of the Philippines continues to espouse,” Logico said.

But for human rights group Karapatan-Southern Mindanao, the military should not beat around the bush and should stop blaming others for the incident.

“What the military did is a crime and they should be accountable for it most especially that it is a violation of the International Humanitarian Law. Their apology and pledge for financial support could not bring back the lives of Lando and his son,” Karapatan-Southern Mindanao spokesperson Hanimay Suazo said in an interview.

The group challenged the AFP to present the soldiers involved to the police and be tried in civilian courts if they were sincere in their admission to their fault.

“If the 66th IB wants to help, they should surrender the perpetrators to the police so that they will face justice in the court,” Suazo said.

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