Not an NPA encounter? Six soldiers kill 2 persons, hurt 3 others in shootout

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Six members of the military killed two persons, including a minor, and wounded the victims’ three companions in a shooting incident in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental early Monday morning, police said.

Police identified the fatalities as Charice Solitario, 15, and Mark Zarraga, 21; and the injured as Wilson Baliquindang, 25,   Michael Carampatana, 17, and tricycle driver Jerry Mesa, 31.

Superintendent Edel Jose Manzano, chief of Cadiz City Police Station, said members of the 62nd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army led by Sergeant Zosimo Mariquit, responded to a commotion during the fiesta of Barangay Banquerohan, after Baliquindang allegedly shot two people, including a 17-year-old, but missed.

A bystander told the military members that Baliquindang boarded a tricycle. Baliquindang and seven others were on their way home from the fiesta at around 4:20 a.m. when the military men ran after them.

Manzano said an unidentified tricycle passenger fired a shot, prompting the soldiers, who were armed with assault rifles, to respond with a warning shot four times, but the tricycle didn’t stop. A passenger then fired back at the Army troopers, who retaliated with gun fires, hitting Solitario, who was sitting behind the passenger seat.

Manzano said a bullet went through the girl’s head and subsequently hit Zarraga in the back. Both were rushed to a hospital, where they were declared dead.  Baliquindang and Carampatana sustained gunshot wounds in the right knee and left leg, respectively, while Mesa sustained minor wounds.

Police recovered bullet casings, four of M14 and three of M16,  as well as one pellet of improvised handgun with one live ammunition,  from the scene of crime by the road side, where traces of blood were also seen.

Manzano said they have yet to determine the owner of the improvised pistol that was recovered from the tricycle. Aside from Mariquit, the other soldiers were identified as Private First Class Pat Lopez, PFC Jhonryl Postrado, PFC Franklen Delamor, PFC Gerald Dator, and PFC Darrel June de Leon. All are now in police custody.

Manzano said the six soldiers surrendered their firearms and    underwent a paraffin test Monday afternoon. The firearms were subjected to ballistic examination yesterday. The Cadiz police chief said he believes the soldiers exercised “excessive force” when they went after the victims.

In a press statement Monday afternoon, the Philippine Army said   the incident was an “encounter with suspected lawless elements.”

Colonel  Francisco Delfin, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade based in Murcia town, and Lt. Col. Arnel Cabugon, commanding officer of 62nd IB based in Sagay City, said the troops  “encountered six suspected lawless elements” after they received report from barangay officials that some individuals are firing indiscriminately at the village.

 “We responded upon the request of the barangay officials and our troops together with the barangay tanods were fired upon by these armed elements which prompted us to give warning shots.   However, the armed group continued firing and exchange of fire ensued,” the army officials said.

Manzano, however, debunked the statement of the Army, saying that it was not an encounter but a “shooting” incident. He said that not all who were on board the tricycle can be considered lawless elements as some of them were minors, including a girl.

The six soldiers may face charges for two counts of homicide and multiple counts of frustrated homicide, Manzano said. Investigation is ongoing, he added. (FREEMAN)