Army official sacked after mauling incident

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — An Army detachment commander was relieved from his position, pending investigation on the alleged mauling of a member of the Civilian Armed Force Geographical Unit under his command in Isabela, Negros Occidental.

Initial investigation of the Isabela police showed that CAFGU member Estaniel Pulmare was allegedly mauled by Staff Sergeant Joefrey Suerte in Barangay Cansalongon, Isabela on February 8.

Pulmare, a resident of Barangay Santol, Binalbagan town, is assigned at the Cansolongon detachment in Isabela, where Suerte served as detachment commander.

Captain Eduardo Precioso, 303rd Infantry Brigade Civil Military Operations officer, yesterday said Suerte was relieved as detachment commander, pending investigation into the incident.

Precioso said when Pulmare, who was allowed to eat outside of the detachment, returned, he was under the influence of liquor.

What happened next is now the subject of investigation by 12th Infantry Battalion, he added.

Chief Inspector Edfel Balibadlan, Isabela police officer-in-charge, yesterday said CAFGU members assigned at the detachment were tight-lipped on the incident.

But Balibadlan said they will conduct a probe after Pulmare formally presses charges against Suerte.

The alleged mauling incident was reported to the Isabela Police Station by a staff member of the Don Ignacio Lacson Sr. Memorial District Hospital in Isabela.

After his initial treatment at the Isabela hospital, Pulmare, 29, was transferred to a hospital in Bacolod City for further treatment of his injuries, according to the Isabela police.

Precioso said Pulmare is now back at the detachment. (FREEMAN)