Elite soldiers face probe over boy's death in Davao City anti-NPA ops

A number of elite Scout Ranger soldiers are undergoing investigation in Davao City for the killing of a 12-year-old boy during an operation against New People's Army (NPA) rebels on April 1, an Army official said Wednesday.

Capt. Rhyan Batchar of the 10th Infantry Division declined to give the exact number of soldiers involved, but said the investigation is being carried out "to determine their administrative culpability."

"All of them have to be investigated to find out what really happened," he said.

The investigation is being conducted on the recommendation of a five-man Board of Inquiry, which looked into the incident that resulted in the death of the boy, Daniel Ferrer, a Davao City resident.

Batchar said based on the findings of the BOI, the soldiers were conducting anti-insurgency operations in Barangay Baracatan on April 1 when they spotted the boy and a companion who was carrying what was initially thought was a long firearm.

At this point, two of the soldiers allegedly fired at the duo. Ferrer was killed on the spot while his companion, identified as Danny Pile, his uncle, managed to escape.

"One was able to jump for cover and run away, leaving behind his firearm," said Batchar, adding the long firearm turned out to be an airgun.

Batchar said the actuation of the soldiers was in violation of the Rules and Engagement of the Internal Peace and Security Plan Bayanihan, the military’s blueprint in winning the peace throughout the country.

"First, the troops failed to exercise due diligence to ascertain their target before firing their firearms contrary to the provision in IPSP Bayanihan ROE on the use of force against the enemy which states that 'identification of target must be by visual means'," he said.

At present, the soldiers, who belong to two sections of the 6th Scout Ranger Company, are restricted at a Scout Ranger base in Davao City pending the results of the investigation.

"We assure that the public will be kept updated on this case's progress," Batchar said. —KBK, GMA News