Civilians in military uniform shot

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya , Philippines  – Two civilians in fatigue uniforms were fired at by suspected communist rebels after reportedly mistaking them to be military men in a remote Ifugao village Sunday, belated police reports disclosed.

In a report from the Lagawe-based Camp Joaquin Dulnuan, the victims, now recuperating at an Ifugao hospital, were identified as Emilio Dangew, 46; and Rodel Culian, 22, both farmers of Barangay Numpaling, Asipulo town, who were shot by at least three armed men suspected to be New People’s Army rebels about 6 p.m.

“The two were on their way to get a native pig in a nearby area as offering for a religious activity (when the armed men fired at them), hitting Emilio on his right flank and Rodel on his left arm and lower chest area,” said Asipulo police chief Inspector Harry Dawayan.

Wearing black shirts and pants, the suspects, also in combat and rubber boots, were armed with long firearms, reports also indicated. 

The armed men only stopped aiming their guns when one of the victims, both of whom had fallen on the ground, identified themselves as mere civilians. 

Obviously realizing their mistake, the armed men then asked the villagers to take the victims to a nearby house where they got first aid treatment from the assailants themselves, after which, the suspects gave P3,000 to their victims and asked villagers to bring them to the town’s clinic for further treatment before they were brought to the provincial hospital in Lagawe.

Police said the armed men could have suspected the two civilians as military men because of their fatigue uniforms. 

“Residents were very sure that (the) culprits (were NPA rebels since after the shooting, (assailants) showed up to the victims and apologized (for the incident),” police said.