Army retiree, son killed by militiamen

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — A retired Army sergeant and his policeman-son were gunned down by three suspected militiamen inside the public market in Banga, South Cotabato Wednesday night.

Police identified the victims as former Army M/Sgt. Franklin Marquez and PO3 Narciso Marquez of the 1205th Regional Mobile Group.

A witness, who was not named, told police that the Marquezes were having a drink in a beerhouse inside the public market at about 8 p.m. when a heated argument ensued between them and a group of men.

As they argued, the elder Marquez reportedly grappled with the M-14 rifle held by one of the men, prompting the latter to fire at him.

Marquez fell to the ground with gunshot wounds in the head and back.

His son tried to flee, but was also shot in the head, back and both legs.

The gunmen, later identified as the Caballero brothers of Barangay Cabuling and members of the Citizen’s Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) under the 25th Infantry Battalion, reportedly fired several shots at father and son even as they lay dead on the ground.

The suspects left the scene 15 minutes later aboard a tricycle.

Policemen, who responded about 30 minutes later despite being just about 500 meters from the scene, recovered several live and empty M-14 shells.

Investigators are eyeing personal grudge as the motive behind the killing. — Allen Estabillo