Person tagged in Stephanie Nicole's shooting part of reserve forces - Army

MANILA, Philippines - The military on Friday confirmed that one of the persons tagged in the death of a girl hit by a stray bullet during the New Year’s Eve is part of the Army’s reserve forces.

Armed Forces spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said Juan Agos is a civilian Army reservist with a rank of sergeant.

He said Juan Agos is a machine operator of Manila Water Company Inc. and is part of the Philippine Army Affiliated Reserve Unit.

“As to the case of the civilian who happened to be a reservist, due process will be served and the AFP will help civilian authorities in the prosecution of the case if probable cause is found,” Burgos said.

Military officials said Agos, a resident of Caloocan, may have committed negligence if he indeed allowed his friends to use his gun.

“Agos will be investigated as part of the due process and may be delisted from the reserve force if his negligence is found regarding the report that he handed his gun over to his friends who fired it,” Burgos said.

“If any criminal liability is found, civilian authorities and the court will have jurisdiction over him,” he added.

Despite the incident, Burgos said the military remains committed to following the law and ensuring public safety.

Agos was invited for questioning by the police on Thursday night in connection with the death of seven-year-old Stephanie Nicole Ella, who was hit by a stray bullet.

Agos said he owns a caliber .45 handgun but denied firing it. He claimed his friends were the ones who fired the gun several times during a drinking spree.

The police, however, cleared him of the accidental death after his gun did not match that of the bullet taken from Ella’s head.

Meanwhile, an Air Force personnel is being probed for supposedly using his firearms during the New Year celebration.

S/Sgt. Ricky Castro, who is assigned at the 600th Airbase Wing in Clark, Pampanga, is now under the custody of the Air Force for investigation.

“Philippine Air Force officials assure the public that the full extent of the law will be applied,” Burgos said.

Burgos gave assurance that the AFP leadership is taking the matter seriously and is ready to impose sanctions against erring personnel.

“The action of one soldier does not diminish the professionalism of the 120,000 others who have done their part in serving the people,” he said.

The military earlier reported that no soldier fired their issued firearms during New Year’s Eve and even claimed that this reflected the troops’ discipline.

Burgos, however, said the information about Castro came from an “updated” report.