2 militiamen shot dead by colleague

SOUTH COTABATO, Philippines - Two militiamen were killed while another was wounded in a shooting frenzy involving a companion that went berserk Thursday night in Tampakan town in South Cotabato.

The suspect, Mark Aradaza, a member of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU), escaped immediately after the shooting incident inside their fenced detachment in Barangay Palo.

Responding police investigators identified the fatalities as Franklin Viloria and Anthony Macul, also CAFGU members.

The attack left another militiaman, Camilo Claro, badly wounded.

Catholic station dxOM in nearby Koronadal City reported Friday that the commanding officer of the Philippine Army’s 27th Infantry Battalion (IB), Lt. Col. Ronald Alcudia, ordered an extensive hunt for Aradaza.

The 27th IB exercises ministerial control of CAFGUs deployed in Tampakan and neighboring South Cotabato towns.

Aradaza brought with him his service M-14 rifle and some 200 rounds of ammunition as he fled.

The Tampakan municipal police and the 27th IB are still investigating on what had triggered the incident.

The local police assured to file criminal charges against the suspect before a local court on Monday.