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MANILA: Thirteen Philippine army soldiers will face court martial over the murder of the family of a tribal leader who has led opposition to an Australian-managed gold and copper mine on Mindanao.
An initial military inquiry has found the soldiers were ”negligent” in not following rules of engagement in what has become known as the Tampakan massacre. They may face life imprisonment if found guilty.
The killings of Daguil Capion’s pregnant wife, Juvy, 27, and sons Pop, 13, and John, 8, have sparked outrage on Mindanao, where Xstrata Copper and Indophil Resources plan to spend $5.7 billion building south-east Asia’s biggest gold and copper mine in Tampakan, 65 kilometres north of General Santos City.
The killings are likely to fuel opposition to the mine, which already faces a delay because of a government inquiry.
The military says soldiers from the 27th Infantry Battalion became involved in a firefight with Capion, who was wanted for attacks on mine contractors.
But residents say there was no firefight and the soldiers strafed Mr Capion’s home as his family were asleep early in the morning of October 18.
A spokesman for the Philippine armed forces, Lyndon Paniza, said a lieutenant and 12 enlisted men could face life imprisonment if found guilty at a court martial.
”You should fire only aimed shots and determine your targets before you fire,” Lieutenant-Colonel Paniza said.
The mine, which is due to open in 2016, is opposed by church leaders, tribal groups and environmental activists.
A spokesman for Sagittarius Mines, the company building the mine, said it did not condone violence and was ”deeply saddened” by the killings.
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