Two shoppers were killed while three others were hurt when a military truck that was apparently taken over by a civilian plowed through a public market in Davao City on Sunday morning, Christmas Eve, Dec. 24.
The military's Task Force Davao took responsibility after one of its trucks, a KM450 bearing plate number SJE-281, rammed market-goers at the Bankerohan Public Market around 5:30 a.m.
The fatalities were identified as Jamie Cole, 63; and Rocel Haspe, 34. Both were residents of Davao City.
Meanwhile, injured were Teresita Tangaro, 45; Michael Maghuyop, 44; and Mae Antoneth Anticamara, 20. They were brought to the Southern Philippines Medical Center for immediate treatment.
Accordingly, the personnel of Task Force Davao were patrolling the area onboard a KM450 truck as part of security measures for the holiday season.
One of the soldiers driving the truck parked the vehicle with the engine running along Pichon Street near the Bankerohan Public Market to pee while his companion also alighted from it.
Suddenly, the suspect identified as Crenenandy Cadiente, 44, hopped into the truck and drove it straight to the market-goers until it hit the victims who were apparently waiting for a jeepney. The truck went to a full stop after slamming into a private vehicle and a motorcycle.
The Task Force Davao expressed sympathies and apologized to the families of the victims and the general public over the incident.
"Task Force Davao takes full responsibility for the incident. We are coordinating with the families of the victims," it said in a statement.
The identities of the soldiers were not revealed by the Task Force Davao pending the result of an investigation although the driver reportedly has a rank of Private First Class.
The task force said it coordinated with the Davao City Police and San Pedro Police Precinct for the conduct of an investigation on the incident, including what prompted the suspect to drive the military truck.
"We are closely working with the Davao City Police Office and the San Pedro Police Precinct who are on top of the situation. We would like to assure the public that we are working to secure the city and, again, we apologize for the incident," Task Force Davao said.
Cadiente was arrested and brought to San Pedro Police Station for detention.