DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 25 December) – The Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) has ordered a thorough investigation into the December 24 incident where a military KM450 truck rammed into a crowd of market-goers in Bankerohan, killing two persons and injuring three others.
Lt.. Gen. Greg T. Almerol, EastMinCom chief, directed the Joint Task Force (JTF) Haribon to conduct the investigation, according to the EastMinCom press release dated December 24 but e-mailed to the media at 10:04 a.m. December 25.
This, as Crenenandy Rodriguez Cadiente, the civilian who boarded the military truck and took over the driver’s seat was confirmed to be suffering from a mental illness, Capt. Hazel Tuazon, spokesperson of the Davao City Police Office, told MindaNews in a telephone interview Sunday.
“Balik-balik na siya sa mental hospital” (he has been in and out of the mental hospital),” she said.
The KM450 truck of the Task Force Davao driven by a civilian hits a truck after ramming into a crowd of market-goers in Davao City on 24 December 2023. Two persons were killed and three others were injured. Photo courtesy of RYAN ANG
Earlier on Sunday morning, Tuazon said Private First Class (PFC) Patrick Saguin, who was driving the KM450 truck, left it along A. Pichon Street with its engine running while attending to “personal necessities.” Cadiente then took over the driver’s seat.
The EastMinCom said the KM450 truck was in the vicinity to unload Task Force Davao troops who were going to conduct security operations.
Almerol assured the public and families of the victims of a speedy investigation
“to immediately look if there is negligence on the part of (our) personnel and provide appropriate action”
He also expressed his condolences and assured the Command’s support and assistance to the families. “While this incident is isolated, it is unfortunate that it happened while we are preparing for a festive celebration of Christmas. We extend our condolences to families of the victims. Be assured that we will not rest until you get the justice deserved by your loved ones,” he said.
Task Force Davao is presently assisting the needs of victims and their respective families in coordination with the City Government of Davao.
In a statement on Sunday, Task Force Davao expressed its sympathies and apologies to the families of the victims and the public.
“Task Force Davao takes full responsibility for the incident [and] we are coordinating with the families of the victims… We would like to assure the public that we are working to secure the city and, again, we apologize for the incident,” it said. (Ian Carl Espinosa/MindaNews)
