Cotabato City, Aug. 4 -- Twenty-one soldiers, including an Army company commander, of the Army's 6th Infantry Battalion based in Maguindanao del Sur, have been relieved from their posts following the death of a neophyte soldier during traditional reception rites.

Private Charlie Patigayon, a 22-year-old recruit from Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte, died while undergoing reception rites at the 6th Infantry Battalion (6IB) headquarters in Datu Piang, Maguindanao del Sur, on July 30.

In a statement Monday, the Army's 6th Infantry Division (6ID) said: "Reception rites, long observed as a tradition to welcome new members into the military community, must be conducted with utmost consideration for the health and safety of soldiers." It added that...