Raps readied vs SAF man in shooting accident

Criminal charges are now being readied against a member of the elite Special Action Force (SAF) who accidentally shot dead a fellow SAF trooper with a machinegun inside Camp Crame the other night.

According to Chief Superintendent Servando Hizon, SAF director, a charge of reckless imprudence resulting to homicide is now being readied against Police Officer 1 Ronie Vergoles, 27, for the fatal shooting of Police Officer 1 Ferdinand Manolo, 26.

Hizon added that aside from the criminal charge to be filed by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, an administrative charge will also be levelled on Vergoles.

Vergoles was ordered restricted to quarters at Camp Crame pending the results of the CIDG investigation, said Hizon. Manolo died while being rushed to the Camp Crame base hospital after he was shot by an M-60 machinegun in the face at about 5:30 p.m.

Manolo and Vergoles, both of the 24th Company, 2nd Battalion of the SAF, were at formation and preparing to leave their barracks at the Camp Crame gymnasium for their headquarters at Camp Ricardo Papa in Bicutan, Taguig, when the incident happened.

According to Hizon, Vergoles was clearing the chamber of his M-60 of bullets when the incident happened.

"He was clearing his gun. At first nobody was there when he was doing the clearing. Then suddenly, the victim appeared infront of him and picked-up his gear. It was at this point that a (bullet) link got jammed and the gun went off accidentally," Hizon told The Star.

Hizon said that SAF troops are not allowed to carry loaded weapons while in transit. Hizon also added that the SAF will not attempt to cover-up the incident and will cooperate fully with the investigation now being conducted by the CIDG. – Mike Frialde