3 soldiers nabbed over Christmas Day shooting

MANILA, Philippines — Three members of the Philippine Army were arrested following a shooting in Taguig on Christmas Day that left six persons wounded, including three minors, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) reported yesterday.

Capt. Nheiljay Garcia, 31; 2Lt. Felomino Garcia, 30, and 1Lt. Minalyn Ladyong, 29, were apprehended for allegedly shooting civilians who pelted their house with rocks while the soldiers were engaged in a drinking spree in Barangay Pinagsama.

NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. said the soldiers used an M16 rifle to fire at the victims, who were taken to the Ospital ng Makati and Taguig Pateros District Hospital for treatment.

The victims were Edsel Polo, 28; JD Navales, 24; John Carl Sabino, 18, and three minors aged 14, 16 and 17.

Danao said the soldiers are being held at the Taguig police detention facility on charges of frustrated homicide and physical injuries.

He urged uniformed officers and civilians to be calm during times of distress to prevent others from getting hurt.

“Having a gun does not mean you have a passport to fire indiscriminately,” Danao said. “This case will be handled without fear or favor.”

Philippine National Police chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos said the PNP has coordinated with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for possible filing of administrative cases against the suspects.

“We immediately informed the AFP regarding the incident so the proper course of action can be taken by our counterparts in the military,” Carlos said.

He assured the public of an impartial investigation into the incident.