Cotabato Army denies city official's claim blast was accidental
Local News • 16:40 PM Mon Aug 24, 2015
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By:
Edwin O. Fernandez with DXMS AM Radyo Bida report
The guard house of SF detachment along ND Avenue, Barangay RH-2, Cotabato City where a 40mm rifle grenade landed and killed 1 soldier on Aug. 20, 2015. (Ferdinandh Cabrera)
COTABATO CITY –
Army Colonel Rannie Sevilla, commander of the 5th Army Special
Forces Battalion based here, today took exceptions from comments made by a
Cotabato City official the rifle grenade that exploded at an Army base last
week came from within.”
It was not
accidental, our on duty soldiers do not carry rifle grenade while manning
checkpoints,” Sevilla told DXMS-AM Radyo Bida in reaction to a comment by the
official before teachers in the city.
Without naming
the official, Sevilla said it was an irresponsible statement and aimed at
maligning the image of Special Forces. The man apparently based his comments on
the photo of the guard house roof which showed it was blown off with iron
sheets protruding upward.
We have video
footage the rifle grenade was fired about 75 meters away by two men on
motorbike,” Sevilla said.
Kung wala
naman sanang maitulong sa investigation huwag na lang magbigay ng mali at
walang basehang pahayag para i-discredit ang Army (If they cannot help in the
investigation, it is best if they keep their mouth shut than issue baseless and
unfounded allegations to discredit the Army.” Sevilla added.
Private 1st
Class Philip Palino, who sustained serious multiple shrapnel wounds, died while
undergoing medication.
Sevilla said PFC
Marvin Ona who was standing nearby suffered minor injuries after a 40mm
projectile landed atop a guard house at about 7:30 p.m. Thursday night.
No one has
claimed responsibility but Sevilla said they have the clear image of the
attackers and will file appropriate charges against them.