Duterte slams slay of militiaman’s wife in Talaingod

DAVAO CITY – President Rodrigo Duterte condemned the New People's (NPA) for killing the wife of a militiaman in Talaingod, Davao del Norte last Saturday.

In his speech during the Barangay Summit on Good Governance in Region 11 on Tuesday, Duterte said the NPA’s killing of Gina, wife of Mario Mantayona who is a Civilian Active Auxiliary of 56 Infantry Battalion, was downright improper because the family of the enemies should not be included in the battle.

"Matarong ba gud na? Kitang mga lalaki, magpatayan tayo (Is that right? We men can have a fight) but we will never touch the children and the wives of our enemies," he said.

"If you are a warrior, sundalo ka andam ka mo patay, NPA ka, kung may honor ka (whether you are a soldier or a member of NPA who is willing to kill) you do not mess up with the families kay dili na sila apil sa atong prinsipyo sa gobyerno (because there are not included in our principles of governance)," the president added.

In an earlier press briefing, Mantayona said Gina was shot by members of NPA because the rebels suspected her as an intelligence agent of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

The husband said he was on duty when their house was peppered by gunshots by the rebels, hitting his wife in the abdomen.

The victim was rushed to Davao del Norte Hospital -Kapalong Zone, but due to her critical condition, she was immediately referred to Davao Regional Medical Center (DRMC) in Tagum City where she was declared dead on-arrival.

The suspects of the crime were believed to be members of Guerilla Front 55, led by a certain of Rommel Tausan. (Armando B. Fenequito Jr.)