DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The military accused the New People’s Army of killing a 10-year-old Mandaya student in Davao Oriental province when it attacked the house of a suspected military informant on Sunday dawn.
In a telephone interview, Capt. Ronnel Legarde told Davao Today that NPA fighters led by “Ka Xander” attacked the house of Leo Adao at around 12:30 am in Barangay Sobrecarey, Caraga town in Davao Oriental on Sunday.
The victim was identified as Justin Matilac Adao, 10, a student of PM Sobrecarey Elementary School.
Legarde said the boy was hit by a bullet on his head when the NPAs open fired at the house.
“Kining gitulugan man gud nila is a gi-consider nila ang mga tao, ang mga tag-iya sa balay nga isa sa informants sa mga sundalo sa atoang unit. Mao lang to ilang motibo gyud nga nakita nato, gawas ana, wala no (The house where they were sleeping is believed to be owned by informants of the military of our units. That’s the only motive we see),” he said.
Legarde said the body of the child was already buried in accordance with the tradition of the indigenous people.
The NPA has not yet issued a statement on the incident as of press time. (davaotoday.com)
