Tineg ambush a case of 'mistaken identity'- police

BANGUED, Abra - The April 4 ambush of 13 civilians at Sitio Dangpawan, Alao-Tapayen in Tineg town is a case of mistaken identity, said Cordillera Police Regional Director Eugene Martin. The motive, however, has yet to be established by the police, Martin said during Friday's Local Peace and Security Assembly (LPSA) here. Police have already ruled out that the ambush was politically motivated and linked the incident to the New People's Army (NPA). Thirteen civilians were on board a blue pick-up on their way back to Bangued when they stopped because of huge boulders along their way. Passengers alighted from the vehicle to remove the boulders when armed men appeared and fired at them. Those killed during the incident were 13-year-old Carlos Ayaba, Marnold Kikbat, Darwin Enso and Edgar Sagudang. Wounded were Rodesa Blaco, Maricar Blanco, Sonny Boy Bengay and 16-year-old Oliver Blanco. Tineg Councilor Rey Tandi, who was also a passenger, was said to be the target of the ambush. He survived the attack sustaining only bruises. Martin said the NPA might have mistakenly thought that only Tandi was inside the vehicle. However, he said the vehicle is also being used to ferry some supplies of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to the town. It was gathered that the councilor was allegedly blamed by the NPA for the October 2007 death of certain Ka Trina. - Sun.Star Baguio