Navy man killed in bar brawl

A member of the Philippine Navy died after he was shot during a scuffle with a Coast Guard personnel at a videoke bar in Binondo, Manila at past midnight yesterday.

Seaman 1st Radioman Arnel Villacillo, 35, was declared dead on arrival at the Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Hospital, while Coast Guard man Euphraim Jayson Diciano, 27, remains unconscious at the Ospital ng Maynila.

Police held for custodial investigation three other Navy men who reportedly took turns beating up Diciano after he was disarmed. They were identified as Jayson Esteban, 29; Donald Viluan, 28; and Glenard Mendoza, 30.

All five Navy personnel are members of Task Force Sea Marshal detailed at the Philippine Coast Guard-National Capital Region based at the Parola Compound in Binondo.

According to Chief Inspector Alberto Peco, who heads the homicide section of the Manila Police District, Villacillo and four of his colleagues, went to the bar, where they were entertained by three female receptionists.

Minutes later, Diciano arrived, occupied a table near the Navy men and ordered beer. Witnesses said Diciano left the bar for no apparent reason but returned moments later holding a gun, challenging everybody in the bar to a fight.

The receptionists tried to pacify Diciano, who turned his ire on the Navy men. Villacillo approached Diciano and wrestled with him for gun possession. A shot rang out and Villacillo fell, while Mendoza was seen holding on to his bloodied shoulder.

The Navy men reportedly ganged up on Diciano, disarmed him and beat him up.

Lt. Fidelis Salidao of the Philippine Navy, the commanding officer of the involved personnel, surrendered to police a .40 caliber pistol with five bullets his men had allegedly taken from Diciano.

Peco said Diciano and the three Navy men will be subjected to paraffin tests, while the surrendered gun will undergo ballistic tests.

Peco also warned several Navy personnel who trooped to the MPD headquarters yesterday morning against any attempt to spring their colleagues from detention.

“These (Navy) men shall undergo judicial process without bias and prejudice. If there is a cause to detain them, the evidence will speak for themselves,” Peco told the soldiers. – Nestor Etolle