Eight soldiers have been relieved from duty following a reported anti-insurgency operation in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon that left a woman dead and her husband wounded, the Philippine Army confirmed.
Army deputy spokesman Col. Jose Regonay Jr. said the personnel involved have been pulled out of field duty and are currently restricted to their mother unit, the 88th Infantry Battalion, while investigations continue.
“The personnel involved in the incident were relieved from duty,” Regonay said in an interview at Camp Aguinaldo.
He added that the case is now under review by the Army’s 4th Infantry Division, which is handling the administrative investigation, while the Philippine National Police conducts a separate probe into possible criminal liability.
“Per the report of the battalion commander of 88th IB, they are with the battalion, and the investigation by the 4th Infantry Division is ongoing,” he said.
Initial reports indicated that the incident occurred on June 15 in Barangay St. Peter, where troops allegedly mistook a civilian couple for New People’s Army (NPA) members during an ongoing operation in the area.
The woman was killed in the encounter, while her husband sustained injuries. Authorities said a .22-caliber rifle with a scope was recovered from the scene.
Regonay said the operation was part of continuing efforts against insurgent forces but stressed that the circumstances of the incident are still being verified.
“There’s an ongoing operation in the area,” he said when asked about the context of the encounter.
When asked whether the victims were confirmed rebels, Regonay declined to make conclusions, saying the investigation is still underway.
“As of now, the investigation being conducted by the 4th ID is ongoing. Let’s wait for the report,” he said.
The Army said it will await the findings of both military and police investigations before determining further action.