Army issues apology for 'unintended' killing of civilian in Bukidnon ops

Bukidnon. INQUIRER FILES

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon — The Army’s 88th Infantry Battalion (88IB) has issued a public apology to the family of a civilian woman who was mistakenly shot and killed by soldiers in a remote village here on June 15.

In an interview over a local radio station, Lt. Col. Arnold Bautista, commanding officer of the 88IB, expressed regret over the incident that claimed the life of Nenita Buscada in Sitio Mahayag, Barangay St. Peter.

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Bautista said the soldiers involved were on heightened alert while returning from a monthly troop relief mission at a military detachment in the area.

He noted that government troops had previously been ambushed in the same vicinity, resulting in the deaths of two soldiers, and had also encountered armed groups in Barangay Busdi of Upper Pulangi district on June 4 and June 6.

According to Bautista, the troops spotted what appeared to be a firearm and were unaware that civilians were present.

He added that the victims had not coordinated with the military detachment before entering the area, a security practice commonly observed by residents traveling through the mountainous village.

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Following the shooting, soldiers immediately administered first aid and rushed the victims for medical treatment.

However, Buscada succumbed to a gunshot wound to the abdomen. Her husband, who was also wounded, was brought to a hospital for treatment.

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The Army said it would shoulder all hospital and funeral expenses and has asked for time and space for the grieving family before issuing further statements regarding the incident.

Authorities recovered a .22-caliber rifle with a homemade scope at the scene, the report said.

Subsequent investigations confirmed that the victims were civilians with no links to armed groups reportedly operating in the area. The firearm was allegedly used for hunting.

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The soldier involved in the shooting has been relieved from duty pending the outcome of an ongoing investigation, said Bautista. /jpv