AFP chief admits lapse of Army men "in Sulu rampage

JOLO, Sulu – Armed Forces chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. criticized a security lapse that allowed a civilian to enter the army detachment and stage a shooting rampage that left nine soldiers and a civilian dead in Parang town, almost three weeks ago.

Esperon, who visited military forces here on Thursday, also said an investigation is ongoing to determine who will be held accountable for the lapse in security.

He cited reports he received from Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief Lt. Gen. Eugenio Cedo and Philippine Army (PA) chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Tolentino, saying the findings pointed to the civilian as the primary suspect in the shooting of soldiers occupying a house in a compound in Barangay Silangkan on April 7.

Esperon said that, apparently, one of the soldiers brought in a civilian, who was not identified by the company of soldiers under the 35th Infantry Battalion. The civilian grabbed one of the soldiers’ assault rifles and opened fire on the sleeping soldiers.

The military findings also belied earlier published reports that the rampage was triggered by a drunken soldier who could have engaged in a heated argument with his fellow soldiers.

"I would like to say the civilian has not been identified up to now," Esperon said. "Definitely there was security lapse on the part of one of our soldiers (in) bringing in a civilian who was not known in the company."

He said the ongoing investigation into the shooting incident seeks to identify those who will be held accountable for the security lapse, "So that those who should be punished will be punished."

He said AFP headquarters will await the report of the Philippine Army on the matter and the Army’s recommendation for what punishment that will be meted to those responsible for the incident. – Roel Pareño