Kin of civilian slain in Lanao to sue Army officer

From ABS-CBN (Jan 22): Kin of civilian slain in Lanao to sue Army officer

LANAO DEL SUR - The family of a slain civilian suspected of being an ISIS sympathizer is filing a murder charge against Lieutenant Virgilio Durotan of the 65th Infantry Battalion of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) stationed in Lanao del Sur.

Relatives of Laip Bagumbong Landua said the latter was killed by soldiers led by Durotan in a military operation against suspected ISIS sympathizers last January 19.

They added that the military arrived in their compound in Barangay Maindig in Maguing, Lanao Del Sur past 10 a.m. on Tuesday. The military immediately entered their houses and pointed their guns at them.

Landua was only supposed to close the door when he was shot. Raihan Macaundas was also injured in the incident.

65th Infantry Battalion Commander Lieutenant Matillo said they were in Maguing to look after suspected ISIS sympathizers involved in a firefight with civilians in Buadiposo Buntong. These armed men had reportedly fled to Barangay Maindig.

Residents in Landua's compound, however, fired at the military when they reached the area. One of the soldiers was also wounded in the encounter.

A rifle was allegedly recovered from Landua, but his family insisted that he was unarmed when he was shot.

The 65th Infantry Battalion also filed a charge against the victim's family for allegedly violating the election gun ban, and for illegal possession of firearms.

Prior to the incident, suspected ISIS sympathizers had a firefight with civilians in Buadiposo Buntong, where a man wearing a bandana with the ISIS logo was killed.

Authorities have yet to verify the existence of ISIS members in Lanao del Sur.

http://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/regions/01/22/16/kin-of-civilian-slain-in-lanao-to-sue-army-officer