A TRIBAL datu and his adult son were killed inside their house around 4 a.m. at Sitio Igang, Barangay Palma Gil, Talaingod, Davao del Norte, by Tagalog-speaking gunmen pretending to be soldiers.

An information from the Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) revealed that Datu Banadjao Mampaundag and Jhonard Mampaundag were killed inside their home in Barangay Palma Gil.

The incident was confirmed by Division of Public Affairs Office (DPAO) chief Captain Jerry Lamosao of the 10th Infantry Division, however he belied that the gunmen were soldiers.

"May nangyaring shooting incident, at nandoon na ang tropa natin para habulin ang mga salarin (There was a shooting incident, and our troops are already there to pursue the suspects)," Lamosao said.

"Accordingly, unidentified Tagalog-speaking NPA terrorists posing as soldiers entered their house and murdered the two tribal leaders," part of the statement of the Eastmincom said yesterday morning.

Medical personnel coming from Talaingod who were on board an ambulance to assist the victims discontinued their trip after they heard shots and explosions which they believed coming from an improvised explosive device (IED).

Lamosao also revealed that while the victims' bodies were still at their house on Sunday morning, February 4, because the NPA was still waiting in ambush.

The troops were able to retrieve the bodies only at noontime. These were brought to a local funeral parlor in Talaingod.