NPA Probes, Apologizes for Kid’s Death During Attack

The Armando Dumandan Command-Front 33 Operations Command of the New People’s Army in Southern Mindanao admits that a grievous lapse was committed by a team of its Red fighters in the conduct of the arrest and killing of an AFP intelligence asset which unintentionally resulted in the death of five year-old Kyle Manegro last October 31, 2008 in Barangay Dalaguet, Montevista, Compostela Valley.

A formal investigation was initiated a day after this operation terminated with a terrible aftermath. The following are the pertinent facts:

(1) A team of Red fighters arrived in Purok 2, Barangay Dalaguet to implement the standing order against Marcelino Entera, an active intelligence asset of the AFP operating as part of its counterrevolutionary Barangay Intelligence Network (BIN);

(2) Target was located, neutralized and arrested at around 6:20 pm and, as a standard operating procedure of the NPA, was brought to a site away from the civilian residents who witnessed the arrest. It was established the brief NPA team operation followed a specific sequence: first, target neutralization; second, arrest; third, transfer of target to a location away from the civilians who were present; and fourth, target elimination. Thus, it is clear that the target was not immediately shot at upon sight, but was first brought to a specified site;

(3) Shortly before this operation, the team passed by the house of the Manegro’s and heard the cries of Kyle and her mother’s voice. The Manegro abode is located about 100 meters from the place where the target was shot;

(4) Of the seven (7) shots fired at the target from M16 rifles, five (5) bullets hit the target resulting in his instantaneous death; 2 bullets did not hit the target;

(5) Of the two (2) bullets that failed to hit the target, one (1) hit Kyle Manegro, entering one side of her body and exited through the opposite side. This caused her death;

(6) Kyle Manegro was at the road fronting their house when she was hit by the stray bullet.

While the arrest and punishment meted against the enemy intelligence asset constituted a legitimate military action, NPA operatives tasked to carry out committed a procedural mistake that led to a serious result. Since the target was effectively neutralized, the team should have considered bringing the target to a location farther away. Also, they should have aimed their shot towards a direction not closely parallel to the road nor with any civilian structure.

Kyle Manegro’s death is clearly unintentional. The ADC-NPA accepts full responsibility for this very sad occurrence. We have conveyed our sincerest apologies to the Manegro family and did the same to the masses in Barangay Dalaguet. Proper indemnification is being processed.

Disciplinary action and other corrective measures will be implemented as soon as the other pertinent aspects of the investigation by the ADC-NPA and that of its higher command are thoroughly completed.

(Sgd) Ka Marcella Valiente
Spokesperson
ARMANDO DUMANDAN COMMAND
FRONT 33 OPERATIONS COMMAND
New People’s Army-Southern Mindanao