MANILA, Philippines — Two Maguindanaon, including a minor, who were wounded by an alleged military artillery strike in President Roxas town, Cotabato province were seized by police Tuesday afternoon from the hospital where they were confined, the human rights group Karapatan-Southern Mindanao Region said.
Jay Apiag of Karapatan-SMR said Norhamin Taligapin, 25, and the 14-year old victim were removed from the Amas Provincial Hospital in Kidapawan City by personnel of the President Roxas police around 2 p.m. Tuesday.
The two were wounded by shrapnel from an artillery strike on Barangay Salat, President Roxas on the evening of May 25. Farmer Abdullah Mamansag, 34, also a Maguindanaoan, was killed.
Before the incident, there had been a clash between government troops and communist rebels that had sent 260 families fleeing their homes, barangay captain Abdillah Makalay told a Karapatan-led fact-finding mission earlier.
The victims had returned to their homes to fetch water and retrieve belongings when the incident happened.
Karapatan said Taligapin, who was recuperating from a wound in the stomach, is now detained at the President Roxas police station. The boy, who was wounded in the stomach and chest, is in the custody of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development.
“Trumped-up” charges of illegal possession of explosives and direct assault have been filed against the two, the human rights group said.