Soldier slain in accidental firing

SULTAN KUDARAT, Maguindanao del Norte, Philippines – A soldier reportedly shot and killed himself by accident as he was cleaning his firearm at their barracks in this town on Wednesday night.

Pfc. Mark Anthony Pagarigan died from a gunshot to the head, according to Lt. Col. Julhamin Asdani, chief of the Sultan Kudarat police.

Pagarigan was declared dead on arrival at the Mount of Blessings Hospital in nearby Pigcawayan town. He was a member of the 1st Explosives and Ordnance Disposal Platoon of the Army’s 1st Brigade Combat Team based in Barangay Pigcalagan.

The military said Pagarigan’s remains would be brought back to his hometown in Camiling, Tarlac.